“Mind blowing:” Tesla Model 3 electric car gets great review as police vehicle

A Tesla Model 3 electric sedan being used in a trial by UK police has passed with flying colours (and blue lights) according to a report from Tesla emergency services lead Max Toozs-Hobson.

As well as proving itself capable of serving as an emergency vehicle capable of advanced driving techniques and maintaining plenty of driving range, the Model 3’s use as a police car was also apparently well received.

“Public response to seeing our active units has been mind-blowing, the press articles have been positive as well. As an engagement tool we’re seeing incredible results,” he reported on Linked In.

Having proven it can easily do a four-hour “blue light” run (as it is colloquially called in the UK when an emergency vehicle drives with its lights on and sirens blaring), the modified Tesla  Model 3 Performance has performed over 200 miles (360km) of advanced driving, and shown that using auxiliary systems like the blue lights and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) has had minimal impact on the driving range.

Charging the Model 3 during a shift didn’t impact police operations during the past nine-month trial either, Toozs-Hobson (who travelled with police crews during the trial period) reported. Arriving at a Supercharger with 80 miles (128km) range left, a 20 minute top up of power gave the crew another 6-7 hours worth of driving.

“Plus this fill up cost less than £20,” Toozs-Hobson said.

Questioned on how the Model 3 could have gained that much range in such a short time, he said in response, “(We) turned up at a near empty V3 site at 11:00. We had <5% power upon arrival and was hitting over 1000 miles of charge per hour.

“Given the nature of driving the battery was (at) optimum heat. I won’t lie I’ve been at Tesla 4 + years and I was blown away, Don’t worry I kept my cool! By the time we unplugged we where just above 70%.”

Likewise, maintenance costs were minimal said Toozs-Hobson. “After 15,000 miles the only maintenance has been brakes and tyres, no annual service schedules mean minimal running costs, time off the road and competitive total cost of ownership,” he wrote.

“Brakes wear has been minimal, after 10,000 miles (16,000km) of driving the first set of pads still had 15-20% use still in them. Tyres are the same as I.C.Es (internal combustion engine vehicles) and need replacing at around 8,000 miles (12,800km).”

Other notes that Toozs-Hobson made that were of interest include:

• Chill mode & speed limiting allows the cars to be limited, allowing the possibility for split crews to drive the car on shift allowing for all officers to utilise the car.
  Light bars are like running with a parachute! Integrating lights into the car cabin does not affect our drag coefficientcy and requires no holes to be drilled into the roof which has negative affect on the cars residual values.
• With integrated USB C power ports officers can power their laptops whilst at scene or charging. The wireless charging pad as also come in handy!
• Tesla software updates and systems offer new ways to police, the ability to send directions to the car via systems such as what3words and Google maps will allow control rooms to send direct directions to a job. Dashcam, GPS tracking & App access offer unique potential to our cars as well.
• Our delivery lead times and body shop offer industry leading deployment for forces to deploy new units and repair.

Toozs-Hobson says the trial will continue into 2022 as Tesla continues to work with the National Association of Police Fleet Managers and the Crown Commercial Service, a UK government department that buys equipment and provides services for the public sector in the UK.