By Police1 Staff
LOS ANGELES — The LAPD is working with Tesla to test out an electric patrol car.
NBC Los Angeles reported that the department, which has already added electric cars for non-emergency duty, is testing out the viability of the Tesla Model S in patrol duty scenarios like high-speed pursuits. The company has provided the department with two loaners for the experiment.
LAPD Police Administrator Vartan Yegiyan told the station the goal is to determine how the car can perform in the city environment and to learn the benefits or drawbacks of the vehicle.
“I think it’s phenomenal that we’re leading the cause in gasless cars,” Sgt. Mark Kelly said.
The $100K luxury electric car needs to go down in price in order for the LAPD to realistically replace its existing gas-powered fleet, but the experiment is aimed at best preparing for the time when that low-cost solution becomes a reality, Yegiyan told the news station.
Yegiyan said details still need to be worked out, but the hope is to have the Tesla with a field sergeant as soon as next year.