<body><div><ul><li>California police forces are seeing the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y as too tight for police duty</li><li>There's no official Tesla police package, and few other EV options</li><li>Police-duty F-150 Lightning pickups have been better received—and other patrol EVs are on the way</li></ul>Tesla electric cars have convinced many civilians to make the switch from internal combustion, but they aren't winning many fans at police departments.Electric police cars are starting to appear in greater numbers in California, which aims to phase out sales of most new cars with combustion engines by 2035. SF Gate recently interviewed police chiefs from three Northern California cities, who highlighted numerous issues with the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y as patrol cars.Most automakers develop police packages for existing passenger cars, but Tesla hasn't done so. Instead, the California police departments bought standard Teslas and had them converted by aftermarket companies, making them effectively custom jobs. In the case of the Ukiah Police Department, that meant relying on aftermarket firm Unplugged Performance, located about 500 miles from its headquarters.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3S9f7S_0wAibWfo00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3S9f7S_0wAibWfo00" width="1024" height="576" ></figure>While it's possible to equip them with lights, radios, and other police equipment, the Model 3 and Model Y lack the interior space for police work, according to the report. One police chief told SF Gate that the Model 3 only had room in the back for one prisoner, while another said the tight fit for officers wearing duty belts and bullet-resistant vests made Model Y patrol cars "nearly unusable."California cops aren't the only ones dissatisfied with Tesla police cars. In 2022, two Spokane Police Department Model Y crossovers received "scathing reviews" from officers. That police departments are still turning to Tesla highlights the lack of options for fully electric police vehicles, but more choices are becoming available.The Fort Bragg Police Department gave its F-150 Lightning pickup trucks a more positive review. It's acquired five since 2022—on its own initiative, rather than via a government mandate—and they were cheaper than replacing decommissioned police cars with gasoline vehicles due to incentives, the department's chief told SF Gate. Fort Bragg plans to make its nine-vehicle fleet all electric within two years.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2uV9nq_0wAibWfo00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2uV9nq_0wAibWfo00" width="1024" height="576" ></figure>The F-150 doesn't have the space issues of the Model 3 and Model Y. Its bed can be used to store equipment or the abandoned bicycles and shopping carts cops are sometimes tasked with picking up. The Ford is also a known quantity to both aftermarket equipment suppliers, so maintenance and repairs are less of a challenge.More EVs are also reporting for police duty. Another California police department—in the City of Irvine—recently took delivery of a Tesla Cybertruck. And Stellantis has teased a Dodge Charger Daytona police car, likely in a bid to maintain the police business from the previous-generation Charger sedan.<h2>Tags:</h2><h2>Contribute:</h2>2026 Nissan Rogue plug-in hybrid will borrow Mitsubishi techStephen Edelstein October 18, 2024A Rogue PHEV is on the way first, but it doesn't preempt an e-Power Rogue hybrid.Honda's three hybrid models have been recalled because of defective fuel pumps.Stephen Edelstein October 17, 2024Post mortem we are learning about plans Apple had for its EV's battery.Stephen Edelstein October 17, 2024Prototypes of a made-in-Mexico EV have already been built, said the country's new president.Stephen Edelstein October 17, 2024The EV charging experience is not equal in all states.Stephen Edelstein October 16, 2024The man in charge of BMW sees China as the only way to comply with upcoming regulations.Stephen Edelstein October 16, 2024THK EV prototype teases in-wheel motors, electric brakes, four-wheel steeringViknesh Vijayenthiran October 15, 2024THK has revealed an EV prototype penned by the designer of the original Nissan Leaf.The iconic Honda Prelude nameplate may return to the U.S., but a manual transmission might not be in the cards.Stephen Edelstein October 15, 2024The JCW performance upgrade goes electric on the Cooper EV and the forthcoming Aceman.Stephen Edelstein October 15, 2024Vehicles with the potential short circuit in the battery are advised not to charge beyond 80% until a remedy is ready in 2025.Stephen Edelstein October 15, 2024Will JuiceBox EV chargers be stranded assets as owner shirks support?The sudden U.S. market departure of one of the leading makers of smart home EV chargers leaves owners wondering if they'll work at all.Bengt Halvorson October 14, 2024</div></body>

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California police call EVs \"nearly unusable\"

California police forces are seeing the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y as too tight for police duty. There's no official Tesla police package, and few other EV options. Police-duty F-150 Lightning pickups have been better received—and other patrol EVs are on the way. Tesla electric cars have convinced...