A Tesla Model S Is Coming To The LAPD Fleet, And It'll Be A Proper Patrol Car
After being loaned a pair of Model S Teslas earlier in the year to see how well they handle the mean streets of Los Angeles, the LAPD will turn one into a fully-fledged patrol car. We’re talking lights, a shotgun rack - the works.
The move - reported by CNBC - comes as a surprise to a certain extent, as the police force had previously poured cold water on the prospect of the Model S being put into service, partly due fears of the cars becoming useless in the event of a power outage.
The second reason was the cost per unit, and that’s why we’re seeing just one Model S converted for patrol usage for now.
It’s all down to the LAPD’s efforts to start making the switch to electric vehicles, which is why the force recently took delivery of 100 BMW i3s for non-emergency roles. Once EV technology gets cheaper over the next few years, it’ll get easier for the LAPD to add cars like the Model S to its fleet in greater numbers.
So, miscreants of LA, you may find yourselves chased down by near-silent EV police missiles before too long…
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Now people will be cautious about Tesla’s rather than Crown Vic’s in the future.
Yeah, spotting cops is going to get even harder. I miss the days of being able to spot them in the rear view even at night by the headlights :(
Driving my dream car while pulling people over and chasing them down the streets? I now know what i want to be when i grow up!
Weird but cool
So you just get a car that can do more than 155mph…
I dont think its a good ideal to use an electric car, with all the beating and long shifts that the cruiser stay running for.
For some reason I miss read the article at first, thinking they were turning a Model S into a petrol car, and also a patrol car. All I was thinking was simply, “but why?”.
I reckon this is just another promotion and is just all TORQUE…
I’m worried about autopilot
Really all you have to do is slam on the brakes and get the thing to rear end you.
Of all police departments, L.A? If your gonna have a patrol hybrid, at least in an area of relatively high pollution and busy urban streets. Maybe N.Y would suit the Tesla better…
Or somewhere less urban, with more distance to cover.