After an incident with a Tesla car where the battery almost ran out during a chase, the Police of Fremont decided to make things clear about their electric fleet.
What came out to the press as a problem with the car was actually an error from the driver. The driver didn’t charge the vehicle before having it back on the street.
Here is what the department had to say:
“Over the last six months, data on range, performance, equipment, and other elements have been gathered by officers through its use as a patrol vehicle. During this time we have documented two police pursuits, where the vehicle met and exceeded expectations. Our final results and data will ultimately help us determine if the EV technology meets current patrolling applications and cost-effectiveness. We remain dedicated to our continued research into the benefits of using electric vehicles and the effects they have on our environment.”
The used Tesla unit was a Tesla Model S from 2014.
Captain Sean Washington stated that a Model X is also coming to mind
“So far, the vehicle is performing extremely well and has exceeded our expectations. We are already in initial conversations about testing a second vehicle, likely an SUV model, and we look forward to providing our initial results in the near future.”
The main problem with stories like this is the risk of spreading false information. This can jeopardize the name of electric cars on the market. Search before you share something. It is essential to know that the fault is not from the electric vehicle.
The police explained the whole case:
“The pursuit spanned approximately 10 miles and at times exceeded 110 mph. Regular updates regarding the speed, location, general traffic, and roadway conditions were provided by the second officer in the pursuit. Just before the pursuit ended at 11:13 p.m., the officer driving the Tesla responsibly notified his cover units he was going to have to back out of the pursuit because his battery was running low. Just after they passed the Montague Expressway exit, the suspect drove on the left shoulder of the road to pass a vehicle. At that time, the Fremont Police Sergeant monitoring the pursuit gave orders to terminate to ensure public safety. All three units deactivated their emergency equipment and returned to normal driving conditions. At that point, the Tesla was driven to a nearby charging station, and the additional Fremont units returned to the City. CHP located the unoccupied vehicle in the area of I680 and the Berryessa exit. At no time did the battery of the Tesla become a factor in our ability to pursue the suspect or perform our duties. This situation, while embarrassing, is no different from cases where a patrol car runs low (or even dry) of fuel.”