A few police departments have been gambling with electric vehicles. While some officers claim they need electric vehicles because they’re faster for catching criminals, others hate their EVs. The Tesla Model 3 is one model that allegedly makes the job more difficult. 

Police officers call the Tesla Model 3 nearly unusable as police cars 

According to the Team BPH, some police officers are fed up with having to use the Tesla Model 3 as a squad car.  

Police departments in California have been going electric to comply with the state. California plans to ban the sale of gas and diesel powered cars by 2035. 

But things aren’t going well as officers complain about the lack of charging infrastructure, passenger space, cargo space, and time consuming retrofitting process.

Also, the lack of space makes it difficult for officers to enter and exit with their gear on. Police duty belts can add 20 to 25 lbs to the torso region. Storage space for other gear and equipment is limited as well. 

Police Chief, Cedric Cook of the Ukiah, California police department shared that the rear seat only has space for one prisoner, listing the ability to sequester multiple suspects. 

Cook warns that incidents involving more than one part will require more than one car, putting a strain on resources. Plus, officers often transport suspects, witnesses, and victims over long distances. 

For example, Cook once had to travel 630 miles to transport a dangerous subject to Mexico. With a Tesla Model 3, officers would have to charge their vehicle and stand guard for at least an hour per charging stop. 

Officers typically get behind the engine block for protection in a firefight, but Tesla models don’t have an engine, leaving officers without safety cover. 

Reportedly, the larger Tesla Model Y isn’t any better. Cook shared that Tesla isn’t the right answer for law enforcement and electric vehicle adoption. However, other options like the Ford F-150 Lightning might be better.