Tesla’s electric Cybertruck is already a head-turner thanks to its angular, utilitarian steel body. Now, a police department in California is using these styling credentials to attract attention to its own work by adding a Tesla Cybertruck to its fleet.
The Irvine police department in Orange County, California, has shared its new addition on the department’s X page, and says the vehicle will be mainly being used for education and community outreach.
This police Cybertruck has been wrapped and covered in red and blue lights to get the attention of anyone it drives past or is parked next to.
A video was also shared, which shows the truck. being driven at night with its lights flashing and background music which makes it sound like a movie trailer.
At the end of the video, the Cybertruck’s doors are seen to open with 4 officers exiting the vehicle and posing next to the vehicle with its red and blue flashing lights.
#IRVINEPDPIO – We are excited to unveil what we believe is the first police Tesla Cybertruck in the nation. The truck will support our Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program and community outreach efforts. Details in the comments. #irvine @Tesla #Cybertruck #irvinepd pic.twitter.com/H9F20FbsMR
— Irvine Police Department (@IrvinePolice) October 8, 2024
In the comments section, it was also noted that the modifications to the standard Cybertruck were done by a renowned Tesla modification company called Unplugged Performance as part of their UP FIT platform.
Unplugged Performance, which provides high-end tuning and custom performance parts for Tesla vehicles, had set up a new division called UP FIT that makes “next-gen fleet vehicles” and offers turnkey EV solutions to authorities, including police departments.
The future has arrived. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter. Turnkey @cybertruck police cars are being deployed now by @UpfitTesla.
The @IrvinePolice @Cybertruck DARE police car has been unveiled. Produced by UP's police division and utilizing @WhelenEng components. pic.twitter.com/e123rcRqZE— UNPLUGGED PERFORMANCE (@UnpluggedTesla) October 8, 2024
Earlier this year, The Driven previously covered the UP FIT platform when a police department in California took deliveries of six custom Tesla Model Ys, which are faster, cleaner, and cheaper to run than their existing ICE fleet.
According to the company, under the Tesla fleet vehicles program, UP FIT team “design, engineer and manufacture turnkey Tesla fleet vehicles” which opens the door for potentially more departments across the country taking up cleaner EVs in their fleet.
This vehicle will also be used by the police department at various local events. In Australia, Victoria police have previously used a Tesla Model X for community outreach and at events promoting cleaner vehicles in our community.
Earlier this month, it was also reported that the Queensland police will be adding the EV6 to their fleet, which highlights the progress of the EV transition in police departments across the country.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.