The question was not if, but when a tuner would convert a Tesla Model Y in a vehicle adapted for the police services. It’s now done, and that’s the business Unplugged Performancethrough its new UPfit division, which features the Tesla Model Y Police Vehicle.
With over 10 years of experience in modifying and converting Tesla products, Unplugged Performance has focused on the police vehicle market. After the creation of the Ford Mustang Mach-E Interceptor, the tuner wants to be one of the pioneers in the conversion of Tesla products for police vehicle fleets. Increasingly, cities and police departments want to go electric for the sake of efficiency and energy-efficiency responsibility. The project is still in its infancy, but the company has announced an order for 20 Model Y police by the Californian city of Pasadena.
The company is confident about the intrinsic value of its creation. We are talking about an invoice of US$41,500 to do the conversion. To this, we must add the price of the Model Y to the base. Right now, for the long-range all-wheel-drive version, we’re talking about $69,990 Canadian. Still according to the company, it is therefore possible to save US$7,000 compared to a Ford Explorer Hybrid Interceptor.
For UPfit, electrification is natural in the world of fleet vehicles considering the fact that they spend a good part of their life idling and standing still with the engine running. Therefore, not only does this save fuel and maintenance, there is also a real benefit to the community: “Taxpayers save money, the air is cleaner , maintenance costs are lower and the vehicles show they can do the job in the field. »
As police departments have specific needs, a host of modifications can be made à la carte by UPfit. In the lot, we note the covering of the seats by a suitable and durable material. It is also possible to integrate a partition between the front occupants and the rear offenders. As the dashboard is clear, the installation of a computer and other communication accessories is particularly easy. UPfit also claims to be able to configure the Model Ys for carrying guns and, even, canine transport based on the specifications of the K9 canine unit.
A more “aggressive” Pursuit Package version is offered with mechanical modifications such as more powerful brakes and recalibrated suspensions. To make it functional everywhere, UPfit even offers a set for winter. The list goes on, but culminates with the possibility of NIJ Level III+ armor.
According to UPfit, the Model Y is the best choice in the industry to make a conversion. The model demonstrated good reliability, low maintenance costs and accessibility to a fast and efficient charging network. Plus, one of Tesla’s strengths, vehicle availability, is real. It is indeed possible to have the vehicle quickly.
Conclusion
Converting a Model Y into a police vehicle is certainly a great idea. The product offers good autonomy, performance to spare and a very good recharging capacity. In addition, the company demonstrated the general reliability of the motorization. The vehicle is obviously not perfect, but certainly does no worse than the current Ford Explorer or Dodge Charger.
The fact that fuel consumption is zero, and that maintenance costs are minimal, there is a real gain to be made for the police services, even if the purchase price is slightly higher than the equivalent to essence. It remains to be seen whether UPfit will put its Tesla in the hands of the Michigan State Police, which certifies vehicles used by police services in Canada.
