Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with a statement from the Irvine Police Department.
The Irvine Police Department on Tuesday unveiled its customized Tesla Inc. Cybertruck, which cost the department over $150,000, intended to support its Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program and community outreach efforts.
What Happened: The police department said in a post on social media that it believes its new Cybertruck is the first police Cybertruck in the nation.
The truck will not be used as a patrol car, the department said. However, the vehicle is fully equipped and could respond to emergencies and provide community assistance when needed, the department added.
“For over three decades, our DARE officers have driven attention-grabbing and one-of-a-kind vehicles that never fail to turn heads and excite students,” the department said while adding that it is always looking to connect with the youth via measures ranging from officers on horseback and working with a police dog.
Driving “unique” vehicles such as the Cybertruck starts positive conversations and promotes community interaction, the department added.
“We are thrilled to introduce this vehicle to our community and will be hosting pop-up events in the coming weeks so you can take photos and meet our officers,” the post read.
The post was adjoined by a minute-long flashy video of a custom Cybertruck with the words “City of Irvine Police” on the side doors.
The Irvine Police Department told Benzinga in a statement that the vehicle cost the department approximately $132,363. The customization and installation of emergency equipment cost another $20,812, taking the total cost of the vehicle to over $150,000.
The department added that it expects a service life of 10 years for the Cybertruck, unlike patrol cars which have an expected service life of only 3-4 years. However, the approximate cost of an outfitted Ford Police Interceptor is only $116,000.
Why It Matters: Tesla started delivering the Cybertruck in late November and is currently ramping up production. The foundation series version of the Cybertruck starts at about $100,000, making it a pricier EV offering from the EV company.
However, the vehicle’s unusual angular design coupled with its stainless steel exterior and its rarity on roads at the moment has given it a celebrity status.
Several celebrities have also been spotted driving the vehicle including Justin Bieber, Kim Kardashian, Jay-Z, and Serena Williams.
Check out more of Benzinga’s Future Of Mobility coverage by following this link.
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