Teslas aren’t the patrol cars of the future

This story appeared in the Aug. 26 edition of the Daily Post.

BY AMELIA BISCARDI
Daily Post Staff Writer

Elon Musk may think that Teslas are the cars of the future, but Menlo Park police may disagree. 

The department bought three Tesla Model Y EVs in 2021 and have been testing them out since and in a review that will go before council tomorrow, Management Analyst Ori Paz says that Teslas “do not appear to be the patrol cars of the future” due to a series of issues with the cars. 

Officers are enjoying the steering, speed and acceleration of the Teslas, the maneuverability, smart car features and limited storage space proved a challenge, according to Paz’s report. 

After outfitting the Teslas to police standards and adding the patrol equipment, officers found that the passenger seat was almost unusable. 

Anyone detained in the back seat had hardly any room, according to Paz. 

Officers also said because of the vehicle’s makeup, they weren’t really able to be used for off-roading or jumping curbs. 

When officers pull someone over, the Teslas have automatically stopped instead of continuing to pull behind another car. Doors also close automatically with even a slight incline, Paz’s report says. 

There have also been issues with the cars remaining unlocked when an officer is near the vehicle but has walked away from it. 

Paz’s report concludes that while the cars still can be used, they are not a permanent solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and gasoline consumption. 

The department bought the Teslas for $102,752 each in 2021 after the council approved a policy to reduce the city’s gas-burning cars by 2030. The police department hopes to phase out as many gasoline-powered vehicles as possible to stop climate change.

At the time, council members Drew Combs, Besty Nash and then-councilman Ray Mueller voted for the cars while Jen Wolosin and Cecilia Taylor did not.