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Published on January 13, 2025
Michigan State Police Debuts First Electric Vehicle with Lansing Patrols Ahead in Green InitiativeSource: Michigan State Police

The Michigan State Police (MSP) have introduced a new environmentally conscious addition to their patrol lineup, marking a shift toward green energy within law enforcement operations. Today, officers in the State Security Operations Section will begin using a 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E, heralding it as the first battery electric vehicle (BEV) to join the state police fleet.

Colonel James F. Grady II, director of the MSP, expressed enthusiasm about the move to embrace sustainable energy on duty. "This is an exciting opportunity for us to research, in real time, how a battery electric vehicle performs on patrol," he told ClickOnDetroit. The State Security Operations Section's limited mileage requirements and the infrastructure available in downtown Lansing make it an effective testing ground for this new addition. Officers are expected to quickly adapt to utilizing the electric vehicle within city limits and at slower speeds.

Lieutenant Nicholas Darlington, in charge of MSP's Precision Driving Unit, noted the progressive steps the unit is taking towards a diversified fleet. "We began testing battery electric vehicles in 2022, but up until now hybrids were the only alternative fuel vehicle in our fleet," he explained in a statement obtained by WILX. The aim is to assess long-term performance, seeking potential cost savings and broader applicability for BEVs in the law enforcement arena.

The Mach-E's deployment comes after the Precision Driving Unit's history of evaluating various police vehicles, including alternative fuel options, with the intention to thoroughly study how the BEV will perform during patrol duties. "Adding this battery electric vehicle to our patrol fleet will allow us to study the vehicle’s performance long-term to determine if there is a potential for cost savings and broader applicability within our fleet," Lt. Darlington told Mid-Michigan Now.