Ford Mustang Mach-E cop car reports for duty

Ford has unveiled police versions of its Mustang Mach-E electric vehicle in both the USA and the UK.

In North America the proposed police vehicle is taking part in Michigan State Police 2022 model evaluations.

This rigorous testing is important because it sets the tone for vehicle purchases by other police forces in the USA.

In the UK, Ford revealed a police interceptor based on the Mach-E after expressions of interest by several police forces including the London Met.

Ford, which is America’s biggest police car supplier, says there is growing interest in electric law enforcement vehicles from police forces around the world.

In Australia, there are no electrified police fleets as yet.Traditionally the home of big locally-built V8 Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores, Aussie police now use everything from Chrysler 300s to Volkswagen Passats.

But there have been some experimentation with EVs here. A Hyundai Kona electric joined NSW police this year and the Victorian police had a Tesla Model X.

Overseas, the LA police famously sold off its fleet of BMW i3s.

The Mach-E is expected to come to Australia as soon as 2022, so there is a chance Ford could pitch for police business here too.

Various state governments have declared an ambition to adapt their fleets to EVs where suitable, so that would help the case.

The US police test vehicle is based on the GT model equipped with the optional Performance Edition brakes and wheels. It hasn’t received any law enforcement-specific upgrades like a beefed-up suspension or heavy duty wheels and tyres

The first UK cop car is based on a standard range AWD Mach-E, but extended range and rear-wheel drive versions will also be tested.

In modifying the Mach-E to meet UK police requirements, Ford tried to avoid chopping into the car’s range, hence its blue lights draw from the 12v battery and not the lithium-ion battery pack.

 Overall, Ford is investing more than US$30 billion ($41 billion) in electrification through 2025.