In Pursuit of Zero Emissions, Ford Submits All-Electric Police Pilot Vehicle for Michigan State Police Testing
DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 17, 2021 – Ford is paving the way for electric police fleets in America. As part of its more than $30 billion investment in electrification through 2025, Ford is exploring all-electric, purpose-built law enforcement vehicles.
To demonstrate that a vehicle with an electric powertrain can deliver strong performance and stand up to demanding police duty cycles, Ford is submitting an all-electric police pilot vehicle based on the 2021 Mustang Mach-E SUV for testing as part of the Michigan State Police 2022 Model Year Police Evaluation on Sept. 18 and 20.
Ford will use the pilot program testing as a benchmark while it continues to explore purpose-built electric police vehicles in the future. Law enforcement demand for all-electric vehicles is growing worldwide. Law enforcement demand for all-electric vehicles is growing worldwide. Ford last week introduced a new Mustang Mach-E police concept car in the United Kingdom that has police agencies lining up for a chance to try it out.
For law enforcement agencies buying Mustang Mach-E all-electric SUVs for applications where civilian vehicles are appropriate, Ford has released a police modifier bulletin that provides an overview of the electrical system of the 2021 Mustang Mach-E and includes recommendations on which model to choose, as well as advice on installing aftermarket accessories including auxiliary lighting, radios and computer equipment.
“As Ford continues to democratize electric vehicle technology by making it available on affordable, everyday vehicles like the F-150 Lightning pickup truck and E-Transit cargo van, there is significant interest from law enforcement agencies across the country who are exploring how they can integrate electric vehicles into their fleets to improve total cost of ownership and reduce vehicle emissions,” explains Greg Ebel, Ford police brand marketing manager. “Our all-electric police pilot program will help to show that electric vehicles can deliver the performance, capability and productivity law enforcement agencies need.”
Michigan State Police is one of two law enforcement agencies that annually test new model year police vehicles and publish the results so other law enforcement agencies across the country can evaluate if the tested vehicles are suitable for their missions. The first day of testing will evaluate the vehicles’ acceleration, top speed and braking. The second day is devoted to vehicle dynamics testing to determine each vehicle’s high-speed pursuit or emergency response handling characteristics.
In addition to the pilot vehicle, Ford will submit all of its pursuit-rated police vehicles for testing, including new F-150 Police Responder and all three powertrain options of Ford Interceptor Utility, America’s best-selling police vehicle1. Michigan State Police usually publishes its full test results in November.
Ford has America’s best-selling police vehicle lineup1, including Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid, the only pursuit-rated police utility vehicle with a standard hybrid engine.
