[Updated] Ford to commence Mustang Mach-E police cruiser trial with Michigan State Police

[Updated] 26/09/21: The Mustang Mach-E became the first all-electric vehicle to pass the rigorous Michigan State Police 2022 model year evaluation. Testing included acceleration, top speed, braking and high-speed pursuit, as well as emergency response handling characteristics. Michigan State Police is one of two law enforcement agencies that annually test new model year police vehicles and publish the results for use by agencies nationwide.

“The fact that the Mustang Mach-E successfully stood up to the grueling Michigan State Police evaluation demonstrates that Ford can build electric vehicles that are capable, tough and reliable enough for even the most challenging jobs,” said Ted Cannis, CEO of Ford Pro. “We understand the needs of our commercial customers and are committed to unlocking new electrification opportunities for them.”

Hot on the heels of Ford of Great Britain revealing a Mustang Mach-E police vehicle trial, Ford USA has announced that as part of its $30 billion investment in electrification over the next 3 years, the automaker would also implement a pilot program - hopefully the first of many - testing an all-electric Mustang Mach-E with the Michigan State Police.

The Mustang Mach-E is an aggressive and sporty EV, and looks even tougher in police livery. While this particular example is not fitted with a lightbar, we expect that Ford will, in time, develop an in-house police package for electric vehicles that streamline the acquisition process for police fleets.

Tesla’s Model 3 has been a popular choice among law enforcement officials who have chosen to electrify their fleets; we’ve seen Westport Connecticut’s police chief demonstrate considerable savings after one year of running a Model 3, and Bargesville Indiana police’s Tesla save the department -and taxpayer- $6,000 in gas/fuel costs after twelve months.

With Tesla’s built-in surround view camera system, police departments are able to avoid costly retrofits of camera systems, and the automaker has even worked with police departments to help implement computer systems and access the car’s internal data systems.

Ford has likely been closely watching Tesla’s foray into the first-responder fleet market, and will also be aiming to assist police departments decarbonise their fleets. The police vehicle market is a profitable one in the USA, and Ford alone has sold between twenty and forty thousand police vehicles per year for the last few years.

Ford Mustang Mach-E police car concept shows future of UK policing

Ford of Britain’s Mustang Mach-E concept. Images: Ford of Britain

Ford’s electric Mustang Mach-E has received a makeover for police duties in the UK, wearing the iconic blue and lime checker design of UK police forces. We’ve seen police forces the world over begin the shift to zero-emissions electric vehicles, due to positive environmental, operational and budgetary outcomes. From Tesla Model 3’s in Westport, Connecticut, to Hyundai Kona Electrics in Sydney, Australia, it’s only a matter of time before more and more EVs end up in the hands of first responders.

Ford UK has worked with emergency service vehicle conversion specialists Safeguard SVP, based in Essex. Among the equipment fitted to the concept car are bespoke mounting pods and brackets to ensure suitable locations are found for operational use, with minimal damage to the vehicle. All lighting is LED with very low power consumption to reduce current draw from the vehicle’s 12V power system.

The initial concept is a demonstrator Mustang Mach-E Standard Range AWD (all-wheel drive). Subject to testing of this model, Ford is planning to offer Extended Range version of its RWD (rear-wheel drive) and AWD versions. The extended battery types would give the police even greater range, and therefore versatility and capability, for police operations.

“The vehicle range is uncompromised as the blue light equipment is being drawn from the vehicle’s 12V battery and not the drive battery,” says Terry Adams, Blue Light Direct Sales Manager, Ford of Britain and Ireland. In future developments we will look to increase this battery capacity to allow for additional equipment to be fitted.”

The Mustang Mach-E is rated at up to 273 miles (440km) WLTP range, depending on model. The GT version is capable of hitting 62 mph (100km/h) in 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 111 mph (178 km/h)

The Metropolitan Police Force has already appraised the standard Mustang Mach-E and has now requested a full evaluation of the marked concept. Seven forces have either tested the new vehicle or requested a full evaluation of a specially-built concept car. Also waiting for an opportunity to try the new Mustang Mach-E are the Sussex, Surrey, South Wales, Dyfed Powys, Devon & Cornwall and Police Scotland forces.

Westport CT's Tesla Model 3 police cruiser - one year and 13,000 miles later

Westport Police purchased the first EV in Connecticut for active police duty in 2019, and while the COVID-19 pandemic has seen the car travel less than the department had been expecting, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range dual motor variant has now covered 13,000 miles (21,000 kilometres).

Police Chief Foti Koskinas happily gave a tour of the vehicle and update regarding its service at last weekend’s EV Freedom event in Westport. Chief Koskinas stated in the video that the Model 3 police cruiser has used about US$600 worth of electricity over 13,000 miles, and that they’re already way past break even with this car on the fleet.

While the Model 3 police cruiser is only used for traffic duties—excluding prisoner transport at this stage—Chief Koskinas stated that the car is capable of performing two 8-hour back to back shifts without requiring a charge.

The rear compartment is perfectly sized to hold emergency equipment, handguns and larger firearms, while the front trunk or “frunk” is a very convenient storage option for emergency medical equipment.

The rear of the Model 3 is spacious enough for police equipment and firearms. Screenshot: Paul Braren on YouTube

There are a number of benefits in choosing Tesla for police duties; namely the built in cameras can be adapted for police use, rather than having to retrofit thousands of dollars worth of external cameras. Antennas and radio equipment can be easily incorporated into the vehicle’s frame and glass roof, giving the Tesla Model 3 police cruiser a very clean look.

The only drawback according to Chief Koskinas is that the headlights will switch off after 45 seconds upon stopping the vehicle, which is unsuitable for police duties. He stated that Tesla is working with the department to recode this however.

The frunk of the Tesla Model 3 stores medical equipment. Screenshot: Paul Braren on YouTube

Electric vehicles have huge benefits to police departments in terms of running costs, but there are also benefits to officer health, ease of operation, flexibility in customisation, reducing emissions and of course on-road performance. While municipal and state governments across the world have been a little hesitant at adopting battery electric vehicles, mainly due to issues around range performance, we’re certainly seeing the tide changing; Thai police have a number of Tesla Model 3’s on their fleet, Freemont, CA has run a successful trial with a Tesla Model S, and, Closer to home, Victoria, Australia has a Tesla Model X for highway patrol duties while the New South Wales Police has recently taken delivery of a Hyundai Kona Electric.

Source: Paul Braren on YouTube

---

Hyundai kona electric becomes first EV to enter service with New South Wales Police

Kona electric to join Australian police duties

The NSW Police Force has been loaned the vehicle from Hyundai Australia for a period of twelve months.

Hyundai’s Kona Electric has become the first all-electric vehicle enter service with the NSW Police Force. The vehicle is on loan from Hyundai Australia for a period of twelve months.

Kitted out in a striking blue and red livery pack, the Kona Electric won’t be used as a patrol vehicle, rather it will join the Crime Prevention Unit and will be used for community engagement.

According to the automaker, “The addition of a Kona EV to its fleet for 12 months will provide the Nepean Police Area Command with the opportunity to experience the practicality, convenience, driveability and safety of a zero-emission vehicle over the course of their daily patrols. In addition, pressing the Kona EV into service for community engagement events will let the public sample the model’s unique benefits, to win new EV fans.”

Hyundai Motor Company Australia Chief Executive Officer, Jun Heo said “We’re delighted to provide a Kona Electric for use by the NSW Police Force. Deploying Kona Electric within the Nepean Area Command Crime Prevention Unit as well as for community engagement is a terrific opportunity for the NSW Police Force and the public to experience the unique benefits of our long-range, zero-emission battery-electric SUV,”

An AC charger installed in the Penrith Police Station underground secure carpark will allow recharging overnight as well as during the day. With a real-world range of close to 400km (250mi), it’s unlikely that the Kona Electric will need charging between duties.

Although this is little more than a goodwill and marketing exercise, we hope that this short program gets some police officers thinking differently about their patrol vehicles. A number of police departments in the United States are trialing Teslas for general duties, and the results so far have demonstrated considerable savings over internal combustion engined vehicles.

Hyundai will be launching a refreshed Kona Electric sometime in 2021.

View fullsize

Images: Hyundai Australia

View fullsize