The Michigan State Police (MSP) has acquired its first electric patrol vehicle, joining a growing number of police departments utilizing electric vehicles.
A 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E modified for police use has been assigned to the MSP’s State Security Operations Section to be used by properties security officers at state-owned and leased facilities around Michigan’s capital of Lansing, according to a Jan. 13 press release.
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E police pilot vehicle
The Michigan State Police is known for conducting through testing of all new police vehicles, and has been testing EVs since 2022. But until now its only deviation from traditional internal-combustion has been with hybrid police cars.
Police departments in other parts of the country are ahead of Michigan in that regard. Ford has been pitching the Mustang Mach-E as a police car since 2021, and the New York Police Department (NYPD) has since acquired a few. Ford also offers a police version of the F-150 Lightning pickup truck, and has said it’s considering “purpose-built electric police vehicles” as well.
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E police pilot vehicle
Given the state’s leadership in EV sales for civilians, several California police departments operate electric cars—with at least one municipality boasting an all-electric fleet. These tend to be Tesla Model 3 and Model Y crossovers modified by aftermarket companies, which some police departments have said are less than ideal for the job.
Police departments still don’t have many other choices for electric cars, though. It’s unclear whether the Tesla Cybertruck will prove more suitable for police work than the automaker’s smaller vehicles. But Stellantis has teased a possible police version of the all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona, which could make for a more reasonable replacement for previous-generation gasoline Charger sedans as they cycle out of service.