In an incident that highlights both the promise and the challenges of electric vehicles in law enforcement, a Tesla electric patrol car belonging to the Fremont Police Department in California ran low on battery during a vehicle pursuit, forcing the officer to relinquish the lead. The incident occurred in September 2019 and raised questions about the practicality of using electric vehicles in high-stakes situations.
According to police radio transmissions obtained by KPIX 5, the officer involved in the pursuit radioed in, stating, “Just slowed down to six miles of battery on the Tesla, so I may lose it here in a sec.” The officer then requested that another unit take over the lead position in the pursuit.
While other officers did take over the vehicle pursuit, the chase was ultimately terminated due to the suspect’s reckless driving, which was deemed unsafe. The suspect’s vehicle was later found abandoned in San Jose.
The Fremont Police Department was, at the time, engaged in a pilot program utilizing 2014 Tesla Model S 85 vehicles. This program was part of the city’s broader initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent from its 2005 baseline by 2020. The use of electric vehicles was seen as a way to contribute to this goal.
A Fremont police spokesperson told KPIX 5 that “The Tesla wasn’t fully charged at the beginning of the shift.” The spokesperson added, “This, unfortunately, happens from time to time, even in our vehicles that run on gas, if they aren’t refueled at the end of a shift.”
Fremont Police spokeswoman Geneva Bosquez told CNN that the general guideline for electric vehicles is that they should be at least half-full at the beginning of the shift, as this particular vehicle was. This incident underscores the importance of ensuring that electric patrol vehicles have sufficient charge before being deployed, especially in situations where high speeds and extended operation may be required. It also highlights the need for police departments to develop protocols for managing the battery life of electric vehicles in emergency situations.
While the pilot program aimed to reduce emissions, this event served as a reminder of the practical considerations that must be addressed when integrating new technologies into law enforcement operations. The incident also sparked debate about the reliability of electric vehicles for police work and the potential risks associated with relying on them in critical situations. The need for proper charging infrastructure and clear operational guidelines became evident as a result of this incident.