Michigan State Police Chooses Ford Mach-E as First Patrol BEV

The Michigan State Police (MSP) announced on January 15, 2024, that it is making an important step toward sustainability and innovation in law enforcement with the addition of its first battery electric vehicle (BEV), a 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E, to its patrol fleet.

The addition of the Mach-E is part of a pilot program to assess how electric vehicles perform in law enforcement settings. The vehicle will be used by state properties security officers, who patrol a limited area with lower driving demands (mostly within Lansing city limits). These officers are armed, uniformed members of the MSP.

The pilot program is a prime environment to test an electric vehicle’s ability to handle typical patrol duties, such as responding to calls, providing security services, and maintaining performance in everyday conditions.

One of the key advantages of electric vehicles for government fleets is the potential for lower operating costs due to cheaper electricity versus gasoline and fewer maintenance needs (EVs have fewer moving parts). Additionally, this shift contributes to reducing the environmental impact of law enforcement operations, as EVs are better for the environment.

Lansing, Michigan, has the necessary charging infrastructure to support the deployment of electric vehicles. This is a crucial factor, as it allows the Michigan State Police to test the practicality of BEVs in an area where charging stations are readily available, ensuring the vehicles can be consistently charged and operational.

The Precision Driving Unit of the MSP is known for its rigorous evaluations of police vehicles, including those that run on alternative fuels. The data collected from this pilot project will be valuable not only for the MSP but also for law enforcement agencies across the country, helping them decide if electric vehicles should be part of their fleets.

This is part of a broader trend where public agencies and municipalities are increasingly adopting electric vehicles to reduce emissions and set an example for sustainability. The MSP’s decision also reflects how public safety agencies are innovating to integrate cutting-edge technologies to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and save taxpayer dollars in the long term.

Tesla Losing Popularity as Police Vehicles

Despite Tesla’s success in the consumer market, government agencies and certain commercial fleets have encountered challenges that arise from the company’s consumer-focused approach, which doesn’t always meet the unique needs of high-mileage, heavy-use vehicles.

Many of these fleets need specialized features like heavy-duty suspension, additional storage, or modifications to accommodate equipment and technology, which Tesla’s standard consumer models may not provide. Other automakers cater to fleet customers by offering vehicles tailored to commercial and government needs, providing a higher level of flexibility in terms of customization, and offer specialized servicing options.

Another issue faced by government fleets is the need for priority access to vehicles and the ability to scale their fleets quickly. Tesla’s production and distribution model, while efficient for individual consumers, doesn’t always align with the needs of fleet managers who may need to replace large numbers of vehicles or meet tight operational deadlines. This can create bottlenecks, delaying fleet purchases or deployments.

Furthermore, some government agencies that use vehicles for high-mileage purposes, like law enforcement or utility services, require additional durability and extended range. While Tesla vehicles like the Model X and Model Y are known for their performance, they may not be equipped to handle the specific demands of certain government fleets, such as the ability to carry heavy loads or operate in more challenging environments.

As a result, some government agencies are turning to other EV manufacturers that better serve the needs of high-use fleets. Companies like Ford are offering more tailored solutions for commercial and government applications. These manufacturers are providing customizable options that meet the specific requirements of fleets, including greater durability, payload capacity, and specialized services.

SFGate reported that In 2019, the city of Menlo Park, California, took a significant step towards sustainability by approving a resolution that called for the adoption of zero-emission fleet vehicles and equipment. Police Chief David Norris was tasked with exploring how electric vehicles, specifically Teslas, could work for the department’s patrol duties. To assess the feasibility, he ordered three long-range Tesla Model Y vehicles, had them outfitted for police use, and conducted a detailed pilot study to evaluate their performance.

The study highlighted several challenges that came with using Teslas for police work. One of the primary issues was the small interior space. The low vehicle profile of the Model Y and its “smart car” features, which are optimized for consumer use, limited the vehicle’s maneuverability in certain situations. Officers found that tasks such as jumping curbs or driving off-road—situations that police vehicles occasionally encounter—were harder to manage in the Tesla.

Furthermore, the modifications necessary for the vehicles to serve as police patrol cars exacerbated the space constraints inside the cabin. The addition of a partition separating the front and back seats, a standard feature in patrol vehicles for safety and security reasons, reduced the already limited space up front. The center console, light controls, and communication tablets were mounted in the front seat area, but this further restricted available room.

Officers, especially those in full patrol gear, found that their duty belts and bulletproof vests interfered with the already tight seating, making the passenger seat nearly unusable. The cramped conditions created practical issues for officers, making it difficult to carry out their duties comfortably and efficiently.

Based on the pilot study’s findings, Norris wrote that Teslas do not appear to be the “patrol cars of the future.”