The head of a British police department has expressed dissatisfaction with the electric cars in their fleet, stating that the current options are not sufficiently developed. The police station in Gloucestershire, UK, currently has an impressive fleet of 75 electric cars, which accounts for over 17 percent of its total fleet of 435 vehicles.
The specific models used are the Nissan NV200 and first- and second-generation Leaf models. While this is a positive step in line with the British government’s decision to phase out combustion engines by 2030, the department head, Chris Nelson, has raised concerns regarding the capabilities of these electric vehicles.
One of the main issues raised by Nelson is the inadequate charging infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. He has received numerous complaints from his employees about the cars running out of battery power during operations.
This poses a significant challenge, especially when pursuing criminals who may still be using conventional combustion engine vehicles. Although the police station has installed several charging stations on its premises, the limited range of emergency vehicles remains a problem.
Moreover, Nelson believes that the options currently available for electric vehicles in police service are not yet sufficiently developed. He also highlights the increased power consumption from radios and signaling systems as a factor to consider. Consequently, Nelson is hesitant to make further investments in the electric vehicle fleet. While he acknowledges the importance of environmental protection, his primary focus is on effectively combating crime.
It should be noted that the article mentions the availability of the current Nissan Leaf model for private individuals, showcasing it in a photo shown at the top of the article. However, for police operations, there is still a significant amount of work to be done in terms of charging infrastructure to ensure the reliability and functionality of electric vehicles in law enforcement.