California Agency Not Happy with Tesla Patrol Cars

In 2019, the Menlo Park, California, City Council voted 3-2 to adopt a Sustainable Fleet Policy in 2020. The Tesla Model Y Long Range was chosen as the vehicle for the Menlo Park Police Department.

Teslas need to be outfitted and modified for police use. Lights, sirens, seats, specialized seatbelts, communications equipment, a gun rack, window guards, and ballistic door panels are all equipped to make it a full-fledged law enforcement vehicle, Telarati reports.

Outfitting a Tesla Model Y was roughly $12,700 more expensive than a Ford Explorer Hybrid, and the difference when also factoring in the initial cost of the vehicle came to $25,355, a 33% increase for the Tesla compared to the Ford

Officers also said the “small interior space” and “smart car” features, along with the low vehicle profile all made things more difficult.

The Menlo Park PD listed Autopilot interference, lighting controls, and proximity locking, sleep mode, and self-closing doors as disadvantages:

“The following “smart” features of the Teslas created challenges for patrol operations:

·        Autopilot interference: There is a delay when officers shift into drive; and on occasion the Teslas automatically stop when an officer attempts to pull off to the side of the road to approach vehicles or people.

·         Lighting controls (tablet): Tesla does not allow direct access to the system; officers need to use a multistep touch screen process to follow standard practice to dim their lights upon approach at night.

·         Proximity locking, sleep mode and self-closing doors: The car knows when the key is, or is not, present within an effective range. The cars will not lock if the key, or enabled smartphone, are near the vehicles and will conversely lock if the key or smartphone is away from the vehicle.”