Patrol services continue without the presence of electric vehicles for now. - Absolutely no electric vehicles in view
Taking a Pass on Electric: North Rhine-Westphalia Cops Ain't Going Green in the Near Future
Let's face it, electric vehicles won't be seeing the front lines of patrolling in North Rhine-Westphalia cops' fleet anytime soon. According to Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) in a recent report to the state parliament, there's just no model that cuts the mustard.
Inquisitive bastards from the AfD in the interior committee probed about electric rides in the local constabulary. Reul spilled the beans that there are indeed 116 electric marvels and 12 hybrids whipping around the police compounds. "But these jalopies are mostly reserved for logistics or low-stakes jobs," he explained, "and they typically refuel at their own charging stations outside working hours on police premises."
All gas, all day
In the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), gasoline-powered vehicles rule the streets when it comes to patrol cars. The reasoning, as given by our trusty Minister in his report, boils down to this: "Current electric vehicles can't deliver on patrol demands, like load capacity and range." As a result, "Integrating electric-powered patrol cars into the lineup ain't on the immediate agenda."
- Police
- Car
- Herbert Reul
- Patrol
- North Rhine-Westphalia
- Electric car
- Vehicle
- Düsseldorf
- NRW
- CDU
- AfD
A few possible explanation for the reluctance to adopt electric vehicles for patrol duties include:
- Range and Refueling: Electric wheels have limitations when it comes to range and refueling time, which become a hassle during extended patrols.
- Perform in Crisis: Electric rides may fall short in delivering the rapid, high-performance requirements needed in emergency scenarios, such as swift acceleration and rugged terrain ability.
- Infrastructure: A widespread charging infrastructure network is essential, and areas with limited charging points will impede the use of electric vehicles for extended patrolling.
As fun as it'd be to have a chat with Minister Reul himself to get to the bottom of this, these are general considerations that might be weighing on the decision to steer away from greener options for now.
Despite the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, police authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia have no immediate plans to integrate them into their patrol cars, as stated by Interior Minister Herbert Reul. This decision is likely influenced by factors such as electric vehicles' inability to meet the demands of patrol duties, including load capacity, range, and performance in emergency scenarios. Furthermore, the lack of a widespread charging infrastructure network may also impede the use of electric vehicles for extended patrolling.
