Northamptonshire Police begins trial of Tesla Model 3 Performance
Northamptonshire Police has become the latest constabulary in the UK to trial an electric vehicle a new Tesla Model 3.
The county’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is putting the ‘Performance’ spec Model 3 through its paces, as Northamptonshire Police looks set to begin a transition to electric vehicles.
In the Performance specification, the Tesla Model 3 will be able to accelerate from 0-60mph in just 3.3 seconds with a top speed of 162mph, whilst also offering a range of up to 290 miles.
The move comes after a Freedom of Information investigation conducted by EV Powered found that Northamptonshire Police was one of seven constabularies in the UK to not have a single electric vehicle across its fleet.
As part of the investigation, Northamptonshire Police also failed to confirm whether it had any plans to introduce an EV to its fleet of operational vehicles, but the trial of the Tesla Model 3 suggests the county is ramping up its plans.
A spokesman for the unit told the Northamptonshire Telegraph: “We will be out and about in the marked Tesla demo. If you see us about please give us a wave, we’ve got some sites to visit, vehicles to examine… and will be doing some pro-active roads policing along the way.”
Police forces up and down the country have been trialing different models of EVs over the past year, with the Tesla Model 3 previously being transformed into an emergency response vehicle which is set to be tested by the police, fire brigade and other emergency services in the UK.
Elsewhere, Ford has developed a specially built ‘blue light’ version of its fully electric Mustang Mach E, with the Metropolitan Police Force requesting a full evaluation of the marked concept. Also waiting for an opportunity to try the new 999 vehicle are the Sussex, Surrey, South Wales, Dyfed Powys, Devon & Cornwall and Police Scotland forces.
