The police are using e-mobiles

The police are using e-mobiles

"The public service has a major role model and steering function when it comes to the topic of sustainable economy. The police, as a large emergency organization, takes this role seriously and is examining existing options for switching to emission-free vehicles," said the General Director of Public Safety, Franz Ruf, at the handover of the first electric car fleet in Vienna. The reason is the beginning of an extensive practical phase in which the suitability of the vehicles for daily police service is checked. 22 fully electric ID.3 and ID.4, some with blue lights and in a police design, as well as a Porsche Taycan, also in a police look, have been put into police service and will be on the road throughout Austria. “By testing vehicles with alternative forms of drive, we can gain the necessary experience as to whether problem-free operation can be guaranteed 100 percent and which safety-relevant special requirements are necessary for operation by the police,” explained Ruf.

The head of Group IV/A (Economy, Space and Technology), Peter Skorsch, who is responsible for the topic of e-mobility in the Ministry of the Interior, said: “A scientifically supported, broad-based practical test is intended to create the basis for the decision on the actual use of e-mobility in the blue light area.” From spring 2024, the exchange of experiences with police departments across Europe is to be intensified. The electric vehicles are tested across the entire spectrum of police operations, from patrol duty to securing accident scenes to pursuit drives. In particular, performance, charging management and safety issues should be checked. The project is scheduled to start in the 4th quarter of 2023. The practical test is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2025. The results will then be analyzed and processed in 2026. To mark the 75th anniversary of the Porsche brand, project partner Porsche Austria is also making a Porsche Taycan available to the police free of charge for a one-year test phase on the high-level road network.