In April, Donald Trump was at a rally in Michigan with a bunch of police officers around him. He took a moment to slam electric cars, calling President Joe Biden’s push for them “one of the dumbest” decisions ever. Then, he quickly shifted gears, praising the police officers for their work, saying they’re the “best people in the world.”
It might seem strange that Trump, who’s known for backing traditional cars, is getting pushback from law enforcement. After all, many police officers are Republicans and traditionally support Trump. But something surprising is happening: more and more police departments are switching to electric vehicles (EVs).
Take South Pasadena, for example. Last month, this city became the first in the U.S. to switch its entire police fleet to electric. They replaced all their gas-powered patrol cars with 20 Teslas. Some officers liked the Teslas so much after test-driving them that they bought their own for personal use.
Other departments are following suit. In Irvine, California, the police bought a Tesla Cybertruck for their patrols. Around the country, police departments in at least 38 states are trying out electric cars. Even places like Eupora, Mississippi; Cary, North Carolina; and Logan, Ohio now have electric police cruisers.
So why are police departments making the switch? It’s not just about saving the environment. Electric cars are actually proving to be a smart choice for law enforcement for several reasons.
First, they perform really well. Electric cars accelerate quickly and have great power, which helps police catch up to speeders and handle high-speed chases. For example, a new electric Hummer can zoom from zero to 60 miles per hour faster than many race cars. This means police can catch criminals more efficiently.
Second, electric cars are cheaper to run in the long run. While they might cost more upfront, police departments save money on fuel and maintenance. For instance, South Pasadena’s police expect to save $4,000 per year on fuel for each Tesla. Plus, EVs need less maintenance, so they’re on the road more often and don’t break down as much. New York City has about 200 electric cars in its fleet and is saving up to 70% on maintenance costs.
But electric cars aren’t perfect for every police department. They might not be the best choice for big, long-distance patrols or areas with few charging stations. For example, a police car in New York City could run out of battery if it’s on a long shift, and chargers take longer to use than filling up a gas tank.
Still, the shift to electric police cars might change how people view EVs, especially if they see police officers using them. Some Republicans, who were once skeptical of electric cars, might start to warm up to them. But this shift might not be universally accepted. In some places, people might still resist EVs because of political and environmental debates.
So, while electric police cars are becoming more common, they’re also stirring up debates and changing how people think about green technology.
