Tesla Model Y LR Takes on Law Enforcement Role in Anaheim

The Anaheim Police Department has launched a pilot program to evaluate the performance of Tesla Model Y Long Range vehicles as patrol cars, featuring enhancements from Unplugged Performance's UP.FIT division.

Sustainable Policing: Tesla Model Y Enters Patrol Service

Following the discovery of images of the customized cruisers last week, the Anaheim Police Department formally announced the start of its pilot program to test six Tesla Model Y automobiles as patrol cars.

In addition to providing quick films about the pilot program, the department, and Unplugged Performance collaborated to host a joint media event on Monday to highlight the Tesla Model Y Long Range police units. Unplugged Performance's UP.FIT government and fleet division refitted the Model Y police cruisers; the pilot program aimed to ascertain the vehicles' cost-effectiveness and dependability as patrol cars.

"Congrats to AnaheimPD on today's announcement," Unplugged Performance commented on X. "Choosing an UP.FIT Tesla provides best-in-class officer safety, driving performance, and the lowest total cost of ownership. We're excited about this pilot program and the opportunity to create a better future together."

Phase Testing of Tesla Police Cruisers Begins

As per Teslarati, the Model Y will only be operated for one patrol shift, or roughly 12.5 hours per day, during the initial testing phase. The department states that Tesla Superchargers will recharge the vehicles as needed while on patrol after the electric vehicles (EVs) are launched 24 hours a day in the second testing phase.

They also intend to charge during the initial testing at the agency's public works office and the Anaheim police station, which have Level 2 EV chargers.

Sergeant Jacob Gallacher emailed Teslarati, saying, "Because this is a pilot program, we do not want to make an infrastructure investment (in superchargers) until we know how the vehicles will perform and if they are something we want to fully integrate into our fleet."

In a formal press statement introducing the program on Friday, the City of Anaheim said it bought the cars from Tesla's available stock. The department adds that a lack of vehicles and the necessity to replace outdated cars as soon as possible played a role in the selection of the Tesla EVs, which were first seen at a photo session last week.

The department claims that the Model Y's sophisticated features, quick acceleration, ample storage, minimal maintenance costs, and affordability are all essential for police operations, which is another reason it was selected. When it starts adding EVs to the fleet, the agency will use the pilot's outcomes to guide its decisions in the future.

Tesla's North America account on X also revealed the news of the pilot program on Monday. In February, the company said its basic technology could save police departments more than $4,000.

Over the past few years, police departments worldwide have used Tesla vehicles as patrol cars for testing—the UP.FIT initiative of Unplugged Performance has just equipped police cruisers in South Pasadena, California. This comes after the city said last year that it would replace all its vehicles with Tesla electric ones.

Photo: Pontus Jerand Wernhammar/Unsplash