LAPD to Add Tesla Model S and BMW i3 to Its Fleet

White_BMW_i3_with_charging_stationLos Angeles Police Department showed off the newest members of its fleet of patrol cars a puny, electric-powered BMW i3 and a Tesla Model S P85D. The Los Angeles Police Depart. announced a few days ago that it will use the cars, on loan from Tesla Motors and BMW, for testing and research purposes.

The cars are both painted in the LAPD’s black-and-white and with the iconic slogan “to protect and to serve” on the doors.

Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti said that L.A. will lease a total of 160 electric vehicles, as well as 128 plug-in hybrid vehicles as part of its long term program aiming to convert 80 percent of the city’s municipal fleet to electric vehicles by 2025.

The not-so-intimidating i3 features 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque with a hybrid-synchronous electric motor. The vehicle is good for 80 to 100 miles of emissions-free driving. It boasts a lightweight Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic body and is powered by a small electric motor drawing power from a lithium-ion battery pack. Although is not set for a high speed chase, the vehicle is pretty powerful with 0 to 30 mph reached in just 3.5 seconds.

While the BMW i3 sells for $42,500 and is considered a nominally affordable “city car” the Model S P85D starts at $105,000. The Model S P85D boasts 691 horsepower and can reach 0 to 60 in 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph.

I’m not going to say you should fear the new members of the police depart. fleet, but you might want to be careful if it ever appears in your rear view mirror.

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