The Hyattsville, Maryland, police department operates the first Chevrolet Bolt EV police pursuit vehicle, and perhaps to the surprise of some, it’s adored.
Chevrolet highlighted the Bolt EV police car in an issue of its “Find New Roads” owners magazine. And the idea for an electric police car came from Sergeant Richard Hartnett. Hartnett first floated the idea of a Bolt EV PPV after learning of its 238-mile range. Other electric cars couldn’t match the affordability or range requirement the department needed. Without the need for gasoline, the Bolt EV may even help the department lower its operating costs.
The 36-year police veteran worked with the Maryland Energy Administration to obtain a grant that afforded the Bolt EV and two public charging stations. From there, the department had the electric car outfitted with all necessary police gear: two-way radio, computer, sirens, graphics, and lighting.
After the department had its concerns addressed over idle times and usability (the department installed a special device that automatically disconnects all aftermarket equipment 60 minutes after the vehicle’s ignition has been turned off), the Bolt EV was cleared for patrol duty.
Hartnett said the Bolt EV’s 238-mile estimated range is plenty of a shift and its quick acceleration holds its own in surface street pursuits. He thinks the Bolt EV PPV is a sign of things to come.
“When I’m patrolling in the Bolt EV, I’m out there doing all of the things that other officers do,” said Hartnett. “But I’m not polluting the air, and I don’t have any of the other problems that gas-burning vehicles do. It’s clear to me that EVs like the Bolt EV certainly have a place in law enforcement.”
It’s been a year since the Bolt EV entered duty, and so successful that the department has begun looking into adding a second one to its fleet.
Comments
Car and Driver magazine reported that the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt could accelerate to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and had a top speed of 93 mph as this is all the performance most Police patrol cars would need because attempting to chase after a vehicle at over 90 mph isn’t safe and one can imagine a Police department that is forward enough to buy electric vehicle patrol cars probably thought about buying drones also.
There doesn’t appear to be any shield between back seat area and front , so I imagine Perps aren’t carried in the back seat unless they are the god fearing respectful and considerate types . I’m not knocking the concept of electrical vehicles for the police , think it is overdue !
On LIVE PD, most of the south Carolina sheriffs drive Camaro’s, mustang’s, and challenger’s, then radio a van in to take the perps.
It won’t keep up with all but the quickest of stolen vehicles – pretty much any Euro / American / Japanese sports coupe or sports saloons – but who needs to… helicopters, radio and bullets are all way faster.
Probably can’t even reach 93 with the lightbar disrupting aero…My best guess is this a city car and they call in backup if they need to arrest someone…You have a fair point with speed yet GM’s own Z06/ZL1/CTS-V can all reach about 200mph, not like the police charger could catch any of them…