We’ve covered the numerous EV trials in police service in a number of pieces here at CleanTechnica. Early on, the first modern mass-produced EVs were customized EVs that weren’t specifically designed for law enforcement, resulting in increased prices and trade-offs for police departments and other public safety groups. Even if there are drawbacks to the Tesla Model 3, one Washington police chief claimed that he loves employing EVs in his department despite the fact that they require something more advanced.
Thankfully, Ford is taking the call. Ford is now prepared to move on to other police cars after partnering with the New York Police Department to create a special Mach-E and getting a Mustang Mach-E police-rated. The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro Special Service Vehicle, the nation’s first electric pickup truck created just for law enforcement, is the newest police product.
Ford is not new to this. For more than 70 years, Ford has provided police departments with the cars they need to protect and serve their neighborhoods. Ford Pro now supplies more than 12,000 law enforcement agencies in the US, and its police vehicle line outsells all other police vehicle lines put together. The business attributes its success and devoted clientele to its tight relationships with customers, especially with the Ford Police Advisory Board, which is made up of law enforcement officials from all over the nation.
According to Nate Oscarson, Ford Pro’s national government sales manager, “We’re delighted to provide America’s first electric police pickup truck to local government clients who can use the vehicle’s game-changing technology to assist enhance their productivity.” In addition to the custom police additions that our customers have come to expect from the industry leader in police vehicles, Pro Power Onboard can be used as a mobile power source to illuminate nighttime accident scenes on the highway, the electric powertrain may help to reduce costs related to fuel and scheduled maintenance requirements, and the Mega Power Frunk offers additional lockable storage.
In addition to the interior characteristics of the F-150 Police Responder, like as the police-grade heavy-duty cloth seats, the built-in steel intrusion plates, and the optional roof-mounted LED warning beacons, the 2023 F-150 Lightning Pro SSV also offers the advantages of an electric motor.
How Ford Improved It for Public Safety Organizations The F-150 Lightning Pro SSV is a specialized tactical vehicle that can pull a boat or trailer and help departments with non-pursuit operations like as an accident or crime scene. Some of the specifically designed components Ford Police included into the F-150 Police Responder include the following:
Less-cushioned borders on the cloth seats so that police officers wearing holsters can enter and exit the vehicle more easily. Steel intrusion plates are integrated into the front seatbacks. Roof-mounted LED warning beacons in the colors red/blue and amber/white are readily accessible and manufactured. The instrument panel top tray is upfit-friendly for quick installation of police equipment. Vinyl rear seats and floors are cleanable. The same fantastic features that private consumers have liked are standard on the F-150 Lightning for law enforcement, including:
In the middle stack, there is a 12-inch touchscreen and a 12-inch digital cluster panel. Officers have the typical 14.1 cubic feet of lockable storage space in the front thanks to Mega Power Frunk, which also makes it simple for businesses installing police equipment to find a 220-amp DC-DC power source. With a standard-range battery, the vehicle has 452 horsepower, 775 lb.-ft. of torque, a 7,700-pound towing capacity, and a maximum payload of 2,235 pounds. With an extended-range battery, it has 580 horsepower, lb.-ft. of torque, and a 10,000-pound towing capacity. Intelligent Range, Ford SYNC 4, over-the-air updates, and Ford Co-Pilot360, which offers automatic emergency braking, blindspot information, and cross-traffic alerts when reversing, are all standard technological features. Additionally, the Ford F-150 Lightning PPV has all the benefits of Ford Pro cars about which we’ve already written:
Information, insights, range management, vehicle health, and more from Ford E-Telematics are readily available. There is a well-established network of 2,300 Ford electric car certified dealers and more than 650 Ford Commercial Vehicle Centers. consulting services to assist departments with data management, digital services, and charge installation and operation Ford Pro finance to assist not only with purchasing EVs but also with the installation of charge stations and other EV requirements. Departments are assisted by Ford Pros Body Builder Advisory Service in selecting options and accessories. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT The police in Spokane, Washington, described their appreciation for electric vehicles in an article I recently linked. Everything about the drivetrain was excellent, from the low operating costs to the minimal maintenance to the excellent acceleration. Sadly, the default Model 3 seats didn’t provide space for duty belts, which include items like handcuffs and a holster for a sidearm for police officers. Although the Model 3’s wide center display is typically excellent for private drivers, the non-optional computer occasionally made it difficult for police officers to view crucial elements like the range and speedometer.
Therefore, it was very clear that police needed a vehicle that was designed with them in mind, and Ford is providing just that with this car. Police officers won’t have to give up the advantages of electricity in order to carry out their daily duties.
Police vehicles, like postal and delivery vans, gain more from turning electric than most other types of vehicles. If you’ve ever passed by a situation when police were dispatched, you’ve probably noticed a number of cars idling while officers were working elsewhere. They do that because they have a lot of equipment operating that, if left on when the engine is not running, would result in a dead battery.
However, with an EV, that equipment can obtain its power without losing a lot of gasoline or range by turning a tiny alternator. Therefore, police departments and the governments who pay for their fuel stand to save a ton of money with an EV. Saving that money for fuel frees up more funds for necessities for people because every city, county, and state has a limited amount of money.
Like Ford did here, I hope to see more car companies release specially designed versions of their vehicles for law enforcement.
Ford provided the featured picture.
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