The Tesla Model Y crossover is already used by various police departments and it has proven to be effective. However, recently the Police Cruiser was rejected by Spokane, the Washington Police Department, after an evaluation of the all-electric vehicle. They weren’t convinced of the law enforcement use once they saw the vehicle. Said it is too small and not designed for police work.

Despite several success stories from police departments across the country and even internationally, the Spokane Police Department has raised many concerns. “It’s not a proper police car. They’re too small. They are not designed for police work,” Maj. Michael McNab said at a Spokane City Council meeting in late February. The Spokane department was expected to receive a Model Y crossover in early 2021 after setting aside time to determine infrastructure issues such as billing and receiving sufficient funding for the project. The synopsis of EVs as police cruisers from Major McNab of the department seems to put the Spokane police in a bit of a sticky spot. While the Department and local political leaders are interested in adding at least two electric vehicles to their fleet this year, Teslas appears to have failed in its assessments of the vehicle.

New vehicles

In total, the Spokane PD will buy 64 new vehicles this year, hoping to eventually switch to less combustion engine and more electric vehicles. But, another manufacturer will likely produce the EV police cruisers. There are many options in the future and it could be better. Fortunately, the electric vehicle sector is not limited to a few options as it was several years ago. In 2018, mainstream and affordable electric vehicles were rare: the Chevrolet Bolt EV was the most popular electric car in the United States. That is, until Tesla ramped up Model 3 production that year, essentially catalyzing the rest of the auto industry to push electrified option plans forward.

Now, in 2022, there are several vehicles on the market that offer the durability and necessities of a police cruiser. While Tesla’s Model 3, Model Y, and Model S have all made their way into law enforcement across the country, Ford’s Mustang Mach-E is also being considered by several departments, including one in Michigan and a other in Europe.

Spokane City Council Speaker Breean Beggs told the department that other options are available, but it’s imperative the department move toward electric options because state and city laws city ​​are demanding the transition “where possible,” according to the Spokane Review. “If the Tesla isn’t the one you want, pick a few you like and try them out,” Beggs said at the town council meeting. Electric vehicles are a focus for Beggs, who suggested other electric options, like Ford’s upcoming F-150 Lightning pickup. “Things continue to evolve. There are better and better options,” Beggs said.

Credits – Teslarati