Officers at four Los Angeles police divisions will drive natural gas-powered patrol cars during a six-month pilot program designed to lower emissions spewing from the agency's fleet.

"We are making an investment in protecting the environment of the city of Los Angeles, while, in turn, protecting the residents of our city," Councilman Rudy Svorinich Jr. said.

The "bi-fuel" cars, which can run on natural gas and unleaded gasoline, will be used in the Harbor, West Los Angeles, Newton and Valley divisions, Svorinich said. During the half-year test, the cars will run exclusively on natural gas, although they can be switched to oil-based fuel when the natural gas tank is empty, said Southern California Gas Co. spokesman Rick Price.

The cars, which can carry 8.7 gallons of the cleaner burning fuel, have a range of a little more than 105 miles, Price said. Using both fuels, the vehicles can go up to 340 miles before refueling, he said.

Natural gas sells for about 85 cents per "gasoline-equivalent" gallon, Price said. The LAPD pays $1.12 to $1.15 per gallon for gasoline, he said.