Tesla Model S Back on the Table With LAPD
The Tesla Model S might join the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) fleet after all.
Earlier this year, LAPD chose to add 100 BMW i3s to its fleet with Police Administrator Vartan Yegiyan saying that the Tesla Model S wasn’t practical enough, suggesting that it was too expensive to be used as a fleet car. The BMW i3 are being used for non-emergency duty and now, LAPD is planning to test a Model S as a patrol car, outfitting it with all the necessary equipment including radios, a computer, custody cage, locking shotgun rack and more.
In a recent interview with NBC Los Angeles, Yegiyan said the deployment of the BMW i3 fleet has gone well and the cars are being used as unmarked vehicles for administrative travel, but are also driven by sworn officers to crime scenes or during investigations. The addition of electric cars to the fleet will help reduce the total cost of fleet operations by 15 percent compared to traditional vehicles they replaced.
SEE ALSO: LAPD Chooses BMW i3 Over Tesla Model S
But patrol cars have different requirements, for example needing faster acceleration and longer range than what the BMW i3 currently offers, which is why the Tesla Model S is getting a second look by the LAPD. The American automaker will have an active role in outfitting the patrol car with the equipment needed and will be put to the test in the field by an on-duty patrol sergeant, who will be driving it to emergencies and possibly even taking part in pursuits.
Still, the biggest hurdle the Model S will have to overcome is its cost, which is far more than the BMW i3. The cost of electric vehicles are expected to drop as battery technology improves, however, and Yegiyan wants the LAPD to be ready when it gets to an affordable price range, so don’t be surprised if the Tesla Model 3 becomes the next candidate to wear black and white.
[Source: NBC Los Angeles]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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Imagine the awesome facelift on these police cars. I would kill to see one ;)
I wonder how much that equipment will affect the range of the model s, and whether that shortened range will make it a reasonable choice as a patrol car.