EVs are Taking Over! Meet the Electric Police Cars of Today
Are electric police cars a real thing? They are, and many municipalities are either going all-in for EVs or studying their impact to augment the current fleet of ICE vehicles. Electric vehicles are proving useful as police cars, regardless of some myths about their ineffectiveness. Here’s a list of several EVs being put to work to protect and serve our communities.
New to the Market: Chevrolet Blazer EV PPV
The electric version of the Blazer has only been around for a short time, and the police version less than that. The PPV stands for Police Pursuit Vehicle. The Blazer is an imposing electric police car with excellent power and up to 300 miles of driving range. This potent EV is based on the SS trim, pushing 557 horsepower to the wheels. This Chevy EV also includes high-performance Brembo brakes and the necessary police interior.
Global Use: Tesla Model 3
It might seem ironic that Dallas County in Texas, considered the truck capital of the world, has the Tesla Model 3 wearing police garb, but it does. This Tesla police car is the most popular EV used by law enforcement around the world. The Thai police spent $3 million for a fleet of Model 3 electric cop cars, and the UK Police use this car as well. The Model 3 Performance can hit 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and offers a top speed of 162 mph, which is more than fast enough for pursuit in the United States.
NYPD Tested: Ford Mustang Mach-E GT
If the toughest police force in the world, the NYPD, can use 184 Ford Mustang Mach-E electric police cars, every police department in the world could use this electric SUV. The SUV size makes the Mach-E GT versatile and capable while delivering 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque from the dual-motor AWD setup. This incredible patrol car can hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
The Right Truck: Ford F-150 Lightning Pro SSV
Police departments currently using ICE trucks for most rugged and off-road police work can easily transition to the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro SSV. This truck can utilize either battery pack and provide either 452 horsepower or 580 horsepower, but both setups provide 775 lb-ft of torque. This electric police truck can hit 60 mph in four seconds and tow up to 7,700 pounds. The addition of a large and functional frunk and the Pro Power Onboard system makes this EV a great choice as a police vehicle.
Early and Unused: Chevrolet Bolt SSV Package
Chevrolet has a long history of providing police departments with patrol cars and pursuit vehicles. In the middle of 2021, Chevy showed off the Bolt EV with the SSV Package. This name stands for Special Services Vehicle. The Bolt SSV has upgraded circuits to run auxiliary electronics, rides on 16-inch steel wheels, and has a set of all-terrain tires. This electric cop car might have been ahead of the market because no police departments bought into the Bolt SSV.
Electric police cars are heading to your neighborhood. Keep your eyes open; you might see them silently patrolling your town very soon.
