The Hastings-on-Hudson Police Department in Westchester County, New York has added a Tesla Model Y to its fleet of police cars. While the Model 3 has been outfitted for police use before, this is the first Model Y to be officially revealed as a police vehicle.
The department announced on Facebook that it’s “the first Model Y that has been outfitted with lights, sirens, and a radio for police use – in the whole country (maybe even the world!).” They also say the Model Y has been equipped with a low-profile Whelen CenCom Core Lighting system that features automation and remote connectivity.
As of recent, we have begun to see more and more of Tesla’s vehicles being used for public services. Notable examples include this Model 3 taxi in NYC, a Model S police car in California, a Model X police car in Australia, and a Cybertruck ordered by the police in Dubai.
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It should be noted that this Model Y won’t be serving as a patrol car, rather it will be used for the detective division. That seems to stem mainly from an efficiency and range anxiety standpoint, since the type of driving patrol cars do is more conducive to a heavy fluctuation in range, and the type of driving done by detectives is likely more controlled and calm.
Something also worth mentioning is that this isn’t the first Model Y to be used as a police car, just the first to be officially unveiled. Police departments in Fremont, California and Spokane, Washington have also been testing out the idea, but have yet to officially unveil the cars to the public.
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The Model Y they’re using is a Long Range model, and the Hastings-on-Hudson Police Department believes that over five years, they can save $8,525 in gasoline costs. While it might not sound like much, as more electric vehicles are introduced to the fleet, those savings will start to add up. It still begs the question, though, if the extra cost of the Model Y is worth it over the other options.