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.