Formally debuting back in July 2022, the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV is part of GM’s next-generation of battery-electric vehicles, slotting between the Equinox EV and a yet-to-be-announced three-row electric crossover. Then in August, GM unveiled the 2024 Blazer EV Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV), a Blazer EV variant that will be only offered to law enforcement agencies. Now, GM Authority has exclusively captured a Blazer EV PPV prototype undergoing testing.
Based on the range-topping Blazer EV SS, this particular Blazer EV PPV is certainly in early prototype form. Most of the vehicle is covered in camouflage, except for the front fascia. Speaking of the front, placeholder headlamps are placed in lieu of the regular LED coast-to-coast light bar, while a Setina push-bar prominently juts out from the front bumper. Police use these push-bars as a battering ram for fences and other similar structures, as well as to push (potentially disabled) vehicles off the road. Besides that, the front end appears to be missing additional PPV-specific lights.
Moving around to the side of this Blazer EV PPV prototype, we are able to clearly discern the spotlight mounted on the driver’s-side A-pillar. As for rollers, this prototype does appears to be rocking production-spec wheels and tires, with a set of five-spoke black wheels filling in the wheel wells quite nicely.
Out back, the entire rear facia is covered from view, although we are able to clearly see the (rather goofy-looking) placeholder taillights, as well as the rear wiper and shark-fin antenna.
The 2024 Chevy Blazer EV PPV is intended to be the first pursuit-rated all-electric Chevrolet ever produced. Designed to meet or exceed the Michigan State Police annual vehicle testing, the vehicle includes a bevy of police-related content like underbody skid plates, all the necessary electronics, as well as vinyl seats and flooring.
As a pursuit vehicle, the Blazer EV PPV needs to be able to run down traffic violators. As such, GM equipped this model with the largest Ultium battery pack it could fit, as well as a set of Brembo brakes.
Further information on specs and range will be released closer to launch, which is set to take place in Q1 of the 2024 calendar year. Pricing and further details are expected by mid-2023.
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Comments
I wonder what sized battery pack it has.
Has anyone checked out how the police EV is working in France? There are photos of a field full of police EV s. They said that they can buy a new vehicle cheaper than replacing the EV batteries. And now with the winter storms all across our country here, how many are stranded out there in the snow? Tomg
Tong – help me understand the correlation between an EV and getting stranded in a snow storm that you seem to be suggesting.
Realistically, of those who were stranded and died in their vehicle, how many died of asphyxiation? Maybe their odds of survival would have be substantially higher because an EV eliminates many dangerous circumstances created by an ICE.
A busy day in a gasoline engine police patrol vehicle can easily eat up a tank of fuel. And when the tank runs low, a quick trip to fill up and you’re back in service. It will be interesting to see if electric catches on any time soon in policing….Throw in all the electronic demands from running emergency lights, radios, and computer equipment, not to mention any range-killing performance driving for emergencies, I can’t see EVs being ready for the task with the current technology.
These EV’s will likely be for light use, maybe parking enforcement, school liaison officers, patrolling colleges, or detective use. I too cannot see how an EV cop car would be efficient with 200ish miles of range and multiple hours to fully recharge.
I’d say that’s a bit “too light duty”.
These will be for regular duty. It is based on the SS trim so it will be north of 500HP. Far as energy usage from equipment, this battery will be around 100KW. An average home uses about 30KW per day. I feel confident this vehicle can run a full shift no matter what equipment is hooked to it. Current gas PPVs waste a lot of fuel of just idling.
Tim: This is being made for pursuit purposes and not light duty. When I was a police officer and with my background in the auto world, I went every year to the Michigan Police vehicle evaluation program and brought back the important info for our departments to use. Both GM and Ford already make plenty of “light duty” or “non-pursuit” vehicles and they are very harsh on any departments using those for heavy duty pursuit purposes. In nearly all cases, the places like colleges or detectives can use regular civilian cars. Lastly, there’s a lot more goes into the police pursuit models and they cost more. Departments won’t be paying extra for those just to use in civilian like settings.
Instead of a fully electric police vehicle, a hybrid may be more effective . The policr in NYC had Chevy Volts for many years. Maybe a hybrjd Explorer is tbe better solution.
GM already told everyone (in one way or another): “f*#k hybrids. We’re only building EV’s”. Which, I’m near certain the majority of GM’s customer base thinks, SUCKS!
While there are ,many questions about the range of the the Blazer PPV and its ability to be in law enforcement, all of this is just pure speculation until the car is launched and we see how it works in the real environment.
GM knows how critical this car will be , so for sure it will be there best technology, etc. when it goes into service .
The performance of this vehicle , with handling, acceleration and speed , plus the interior layout may well make it well suited to enforcement.
In some major cities today there are electric transport trucks making regular deliveries to grocery stores that were previously delivered by diesel tractor trailers.
Electric vehicles today are kind of like when the Wright brothers first tried to fly, there were many who said we would never fly, so too will it be with electric PPVs !!!
If these things are supposed to be so hot why are they working on low profit fleet versions of it?
Because woke communities will require thier police departments to buy EVs regardless of viability or price.
That should work…..provided the perps have a shorter range than the cops.
I’ll bet this bad @ss EV PPV is going to ride like on rails. And range won’t be an issue, either…as soon as they install the rails on the streets and the overhead electric power wire grid.
why don’t you improve the gasoline engine instead e v are a fire haszard.
EVs actually are less likely to be on fire than ICE vehicles
Just look at RAM , there are several recalls now on their HD pickups 2020-2023 , i believe up to 4 recalls and most if not all can result in under the hood fires. There are close to 300,000 trucks involved in these recalls!!!
If a fire starts under the hood of an ICS vehicle, it almost for certain will destroy the vehicle.
I very much like ICE vehicles, but all of the talk on EVs and fires would lead you to believe ICE vehicles never burn , and we know that is not the case.
bad idea, very few charing stations when traveling any distance,keep most cars all gasoline engines,makes sense.
Reading a lot of good comments above. Here’s my take on this as an ex police officer and Chief of police. I’m not getting this vehicle for this use. Here are just a few things I see: Too small. Visibility isn’t good enough. Lack of track record (for an EV) for this type of use. Too expensive.
First, being too small. The amount of equipment and gear police carry keeps getting to be more and more. Even with a well designed cargo organizer, this is just too small.
Visibility: This is the biggest issue that I’m seeing. Does this look swoopy and nice? Sure. But that doesn’t translate well into a good squad car. Not only do police need great outward visibility for general driving/pursuits, but you also need to have less blind spots in order to see out even when sitting. This is NOT good there.
Too expensive: Even with government purchase contracts that give huge breaks, this will still be too expensive. I had to work with my city counsel and believe me when I say it’s always a battle to get funding each year.
Lastly, the track record. This (for me) applies to any EV’s at this point. I do feel that EV’s can and should be used for city police and small counties for sheriff’s deputies. But places like the CHP and state police agencies, a hybrid type setup would be much better.
While you make some interesting points Dan B, there are a lot of assumptions to those points. Many of these assumptions are based off pictures of the Blazer EV versus experiencing first hand.
Regarding space, most articles I’ve read aren’t very flattering about how much space is inside an Explorer. Entirely possible GM gains some significant space improvement over the ICE Blazer that could make this very compelling.
We have no idea what the pricing on this will be. Entirely possible it could be equal to an Explorer PPV. And operational costs could provide significant cost savings for cities that will make them want to scoop these up.
I doubt the visibility of this is much different versus the Explorer.
Ultimately this will be a very different vehicle for officers. I’d guess many stations will purchase a small number for testing to see what they’re like on a day to day basis. Understand the drawbacks along with the benefits. If procedures can be developed to manage those drawbacks, these could be a huge success.
Overall, too early to mock these and count them out. Additionally, no way to know if they will be a success at this point.
GMC Fan: So when I speak about something, I do so only when/if I know about it. If I don’t and it’s just my opinion, then I (try to) make it clear that it’s my opinion. You didn’t read anything there about opinion, correct? But just to clear the record, I’ve been in and walked around this EV Blazer (not police trim) while at a ride and drive event two months ago with Chevy. They had this and the EV Equinox there. Having been a police officer and knowing the dangers or equipment flying around and lack of visibility, I will say with no hesitation that this is too small and with lack of good police officer needed visibility.
Pricing: You are correct in that the pricing has not been revealed. But we all know these will not be cheap. Of course, few police vehicles are cheap any more.
Comparing to the Explorer: I didn’t do that. Maybe you are making an assumption, but nowhere did I compare to it. Is the Explorer a good police vehicle? I’m not sure and my experience is/was with the Caprice, Impala, Lumina and Crown Vic.
I didn’t say it above, but I’ve always stood to the idea that GM and Ford should produce a vehicle strictly for police use and once those vehicles are used up, they should be dismantled and recycled. Give them the box design needed and all heavy duty parts. But that’s just too expensive and will never happen.
Actually Dan, you did very clearly state it was your opinion in your second sentence….”Here’s my take on this”.
Interesting that you didn’t originally reveal your first hand experience with the Blazer EV a couple months ago. Your opinion would have been far more interesting for the many fans who haven’t had that opportunity. Instead, it’s more like you’re making up garbage to now suppprt your opinions.
Thank you GMC Fan for your diligent work at being the word police on GMA.
I apologize for using words that caused you to think I was stating my opinion. I find it convenient that you stopped quoting me where I factually state my experience in law enforcement. Allow me to be more clear:
My personal experience through many miles and hours behind the wheel of a police vehicle has given me first hand knowledge of what’s needed and best for an ideal patrol car. What’s more, the many years that I attended the Michigan State Police squad evaluations gave me insight that many officers didn’t have. Speaking with the engineers, developers and designers gave me experience beyond the norm. Those of us who attended that program were often invited into discussion groups with these same people where they requested our input on how to make the patrol cars better.
The fact that I didn’t bring up having seen in person the EV Blazer is because I didn’t feel it was necessary before. I brought it up after your comment because I was making a point. The fact that you are now attempting to fabricate stuff about me and my comments is just silly at best. But then again, it’s you and all of us on here know your ways. Surprised I am not.
No way Mary Barra.
The past and current ICE police packages feature high output alternators needed to drive all the added police gear, computers, roof lights, way above consumer cars for the electrical draw, and we hardly ever shut these ICE things off, as the next shift takes over an already warm patrol vehicle. We don’t have multiple spares that can sit charging when, before or after a shift change. And what about here in cooler Canada, where our cops need heaters on full in cold weather, all while patrolling? Have you never seen our patrol cars idling at a traffic crash scene, or a crime scene, roof lights on, for hours on end? Is your battery going to run all the lights, the heat, the radios, for hours at idle, then allow the copper to go back on regular patrol?
Furthermore, lithium batteries will NOT take a charge at 32degrees freezing temps.
What’s the cop supposed to do then, walk?
No, find an older gas engine car and get to work.
We have some patrol zones where it takes some officers over an hour at high speed to reach their call for service destinations. Not all cops drive around two blocks to reach their calls. You have no idea of some police range needs.
I really don’t think you have a clue.
Stop messing with what has worked for over one hundred years.
Let’s face it, the thoughts and comments above are all moot points, the ONLY reason this Blazer is being used for this purpose is because Mary Barra is a liberal that will do and say anything to appease this administration, its all about $$$, she is in Biden’s pocket. She doesn’t care about what GM customers want or about the future of this country, she is just another liberal puppet. GMC Fan, I think there’s a tree out there that needs to be hugged.
Have you ever seen one of our police vehicles sitting at the site of a traffic accident or a crime for an extended period of time with the roof lights on? Is it possible that your batteries won’t be able to power everything, including the lights, the heater, and the radios, for many hours while the copper is just standing around?