Irvine Police Department officially unveils nation’s first Tesla Cybertruck police car
- A US police department is using the Tesla Cybertruck to fight crime
- Irvine Police Department spent $153,000 on the Cybertruck
- The truck will support school anti-drug events rather than patrols
Published on Oct 09, 2024 at 6:42 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Oct 10, 2024 at 5:50 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
Love it or hate it – the Tesla Cybertruck is the most recognizable car on the road and now this US police department has taken one on to fight crime.
Irvine Police Department (IPD) in California spent $153,000 on the Cybertruck.
The truck will support their Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program in school anti-drug events.
It won’t – however – be used as a patrol car.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
Tesla Cybertruck police car
From officers on horseback to working with support K9, the IPD ‘passionately seeks unique and innovative ways to connect with our community and the youth of Irvine’.
Now the department has invested in a unique Tesla Cybertruck to ‘start positive conversations and promote community interaction’.
The fully equipped vehicle will solely be used for this purpose and won’t be used as a patrol car unless needed to respond to emergencies and assist the community when needed.
Presumably, if the emergency involves towing something out of a sticky situation, it might come in handy.
A video created by Orange County’s IPD and shared on Facebook shows the vehicle driving at night with lights flashing and dramatic music.
This isn’t the first Tesla used in law enforcement with the Tesla Model Y cop car in Minnesota praised by the chief of the force.
Further afield, Dubai police’s Cybertruck has been a huge success on the force.
Justifying the cost
The $153,175.03 price tag included the installation of emergency equipment.
Information released by the department revealed that while their Ford Police Interceptor costs $116,000, it has a life expectancy of three to four years.
The Tesla Cybertruck can be used for up to 10 years.
Sgt. Karie Davies explained that the department expects to save money in the long run by not paying for gas for the Tesla Cybertruck.
“The Cybertruck is a replacement for another DARE vehicle that has reached its shelf life,” she said to NBC News.
Want more?
These are the top five modified Cybertrucks that got Elon Musk’s attention.
London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the experienced content creator and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms and coveted brands. When her OOO is on you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym or exploring the city she loves.
