It's called the Model PD, and its maker believes it will soon become a mainstay of police fleets in the future.
Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular thanks to their various benefits. Even police forces are intrigued by them, so EVs are slowly popping up in emergency fleets nationwide. Now a company called Model PD is offering a purpose-built police vehicle based on Tesla's Model Y, currently the best-selling car in the world.
While it still resembles the popular electric crossover, the vehicle (also known as the Model PD) has been kitted out with a push bumper replete with emergency lights. The company has also removed the large-diameter wheels, replacing them with more practical steel items and police-rated Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires.
The glass roof is entirely impractical for police work. In its place is a carbon fiber panel that can accommodate the light bar and necessary antennas.
All the exterior lighting is modified with red and blue lights, which means the car is ready for action when it arrives.
Inside, it's a similar story. The interior appointments are essentially unchanged, but some alterations have been carried out. The roof lining, for example, conceals wiring and features practical dome lights. The front seats in the example seen here are incomplete, but the company notes that complete Model PD examples will have modified bolsters and more durable upholstery.
This is because police officers often have to exit the car multiple times a day, and the gun holster can quickly wear out the seat material, especially if the bolsters are overly large. The rear has been designed to fit two suspects, with a partition separating either side of the rear bench. As police vehicles tend to get dirty very quickly, the Model PD has rubber carpeting that is easier to clean.
The prominent 15-inch Tesla touchscreen remains and operates as it would from the factory. However, Model PD has tinkered with it, giving it a dual purpose. The officer simply needs to press a button, and the screen displays a window desktop, eliminating the need for a second screen in the cabin.
While the Model PD is more expensive to purchase when compared to an ICE-powered police vehicle, the company believes many will pounce on the opportunity. “Between the maintenance and fuel cost savings, most departments are going to hit that break-even point in 18 – 24 months,” the company said.
While Teslas have their fair share of build quality issues, an electric vehicle is far less likely to have mechanical problems than a gas-powered car.
So not only should they be cheaper to maintain, but they should last longer than the traditional police cruiser too.
More importantly, Model PD says it has plans to produce police versions of the Cybertruck (when it eventually arrives). The company says it chose Tesla vehicles as it is “the only company that is able to meet the demand; we're just not seeing Ford, Chevy or Rivian as being able to meet the production demand required to serve all police vehicles – and be reliable.”
Interestingly, Ford has already revealed a police version of the F-150 Lightning – months before the Cybertruck has even hit the production line.
It won't be the first time a Model Y will be used as a police vehicle. Last year, the Spokane Police Department in Washington expressed frustration with their patrol car, citing issues with the small interior and range.
Keyword: Tesla Model Y Is The Purpose-Built Police Cruiser Of The Future