Texas Police Force Test Drives Tesla Cybertruck as Possible Cruiser

As part of the city's green initiative, the Kemah Police Department is running a Tesla Cybertruck through a 30-day trial to see if the department can practically use the vehicle as a cruiser.
By Peter Warren
Source Houston Chronicle
Dec. 19, 2025
2 min read

What to know

  • The Kemah Police Department began a 30-day trial this week to evaluate a Tesla Cybertruck as a potential patrol vehicle, officials said.

  • Police said the test will focus on operational practicality, including charging time and whether a fully electric vehicle can meet patrol needs compared with hybrid or gas-powered vehicles.

  • The trial is part of the city’s green initiative to reduce emissions, and no decision has been made on whether the department will pursue the vehicle after the evaluation period.

Kemah, TX, Police Department
The Kemah, TX, police's Tesla Cybertruck that it's testing for 30 days.

The Kemah, TX, Police Department is test-driving a Tesla Cybertruck through for the next 30 days to see if the agency can use the vehicle as a cruiser.

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Law Enforcement Agencies Using Electric Vehicles as a Cost-Cutting Tool

  • Smaller law enforcement agencies are turning to all-electric vehicles to make room in their budgets for other needs.

The Kemah Police Department is test driving a Tesla Cybertruck as a potential patrol vehicle in a 30-day trial that started this week.

Kemah Police Captain Tramaine Ruiz said the department is conducting the test as part of the city's green initiative to lower emissions.

Police want to know if the department can practically use a Cybertruck, whether it's in multiple capacities or just one.

"One thing we're going to do over the next 30 days is look at practicality," Ruiz said. "How long does it take to actually charge? What are the pros versus cons in having a fully EV vehicle versus a hybrid or a gas combustion engine?"

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Las Vegas Police Put New Fleet of Electric Cybertrucks on Display

  • The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's fleet of all-electric Tesla Cybertrucks—the nation's largest—was fully paid for by a donation from the co-founder of a venture capital firm and his wife.

Ruiz said Tesla approached the city after hearing about city's green initiative, which aims to get as close to zero emissions as possible, to see if they would be interested in the trial.

No one has discussed what will happen at the end of the vetting period, Ruiz noted.

The trial started Tuesday.

"We're grateful for the opportunity to actually demo this vehicle," Ruiz said. "I can honestly tell you, I've learned (more) about Tesla in the past couple of days than I ever knew in my entire life."

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© 2025 the Houston Chronicle.

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