'Room For One Prisoner' – California Police Chief Says Their $150,000 Tesla Model 3 Is 'Nearly Unusable'

California police departments are discovering that good intentions sometimes collide with real-world obstacles. Several law enforcement organizations have invested significantly in Teslas to meet the state's need for zero-emission cars. The feasibility of these electric cars for police work is currently a major concern; some departments even consider them “nearly unusable” as squad cars.

Multiple police departments, including those in Menlo Park and Ukiah, have embraced the Tesla model, hoping it would be efficient and align with the state's climate goals. 

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SFGATE spoke to Ukiah Police Department Chief Cedric Crook, who pointed out that the modifications necessary for Teslas to serve as police cars add up fast. Once upfitted for patrol duty, the Model 3s purchased cost almost $150,000 each, Crook noted. 

Unlike traditional car manufacturers, Tesla does not offer ready-made law enforcement models, leaving police departments to rely on a single aftermarket company for modifications, which results in high costs due to the lack of competition.

Cost, however, isn't the only issue. Many officers found that Teslas simply don’t offer enough space, particularly in the back seats. Chief Crook explained that there's only room for one prisoner, which significantly limits officers' ability to manage situations involving multiple suspects, often forcing more officers and vehicles to be deployed.

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Safety is, understandably, a critical factor in police vehicle selection and Teslas have failed to meet these needs in some key ways. One of the main issues is that electric vehicles lack an engine block – a feature officers are trained to use as cover during active shootings. “In a firefight, you hide behind the engine block,” Chief Crook explained. He was taught this in the police academy. Without this reliable cover, officers are put in potentially more dangerous situations.

The Tesla’s Autopilot feature has also proven problematic. According to officers from the Menlo Park Police Department, Autopilot’s safety programming interferes with police duties by sometimes preventing the vehicle from quickly jumping curbs or responding appropriately when parked along the side of the road during emergencies.

Chief Neil Cervenka of the Fort Bragg Police Department summarized: “Tesla isn't the right answer in the law enforcement market currently for electric adoption, but there might be better options.”

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Another big challenge police departments are facing with Teslas is the charging infrastructure. Unlike a traditional gas-powered vehicle that can be refueled in under five minutes, recharging a Tesla can take at least 20 minutes, even at a fast charger. 

Chief Crook recounted to SFGATE an instance in which detectives transporting a possibly violent subject in a Tesla would have needed to spend up to an hour charging at a public station that wasn’t secure. This situation is far from optimal for controlling suspects or guaranteeing officer safety.

The police Chief stated, "I'm not ready to put an officer in a Tesla," expressing his concerns about safety and practicality. The Fort Bragg Police Department, therefore, decided to replace their Teslas with five electric Ford F-150 Lightning trucks and outfitted their parking area with the appropriate chargers.

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