Will the electric police car be a success? – AutoRAI TV

Experimenting with electric cars

Several police forces are experimenting with electric cars. Similarly, the Belgian police have Hyundai IONIQ 5s in use. In addition, we recently ran into an Audi Q4 e-tron from the Polizei, a prototype, in the Frankfurt area. The police did not really like that car with regard to range. This Hyundai IONIQ 5 from the Dutch police has better numbers on paper. At Police Team Weerijs – in the Etten-Leur area – they drive around in an IONIQ 5.

Will the electric police car be a success? – Out and about with the police! – AutoRAI TV

Obstructive driving assistance systems

The initial findings about this electric car are extremely positive, except that those driver assistance systems do interfere with police work. “During a chase, you don’t want the car counter-steering because it’s getting out of a lane, so we have to disable these driver assistance systems over and over again,” said Inspector Rick, who can be found in this Hyundai almost every day.

Specifications Hyundai IONIQ 5 police

What kind of specs does this Hyundai actually have? The car in question is a 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 73 kWh Style, with a new price of about 50,000 euros. The car is powered by a 160 kW (218 hp) electric motor with 350 Nm of torque. The car’s top speed comes out to about 190 km/h and the 0-100 sprint takes 7.4 seconds. The car weighs 1,885 kilograms ex-factory, but the necessary police equipment increased that weight to about 2,000 kilograms. The car is allowed to tow 1,600 kilograms braked. A fine feature of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is its generous wheelbase of 3,000 mm. So even in the back – even as a criminal – you’re sitting excellently. After all, you have oceans of legroom.

Surveillance vehicle

Police use the IONIQ 5 as a surveillance vehicle. It is an experiment. The police team will experience what it is like to perform police work with this electric car instead of our traditional diesel and gasoline vehicles. “Police use every charging option to keep a battery as full as possible. If you plug in the vehicle during a cup of coffee and lunch, it can last the entire shift. In addition, the car is nice and fast and also good for the environment,” said Inspector Rick.

Complete police equipment

The Hyundai is equipped like a full-size police car. So think flashing lights, distinctive police striping, a Stop Police sign under the sun visor, a Police Tracking sign on the back of the car but also an interior with all the equipment of tracking systems, such as navigation system and data terminal. In the luggage compartment we bespeak a storage drawer for first aid gear and bulletproof vests, AED and trauma bears. New is a whiteboard, ideal for drawing something out during an incident. “Furthermore, the seats are finished with seat covers. We do this to keep the car clean. In the back seat, we use a special upholstery that we can easily clean. I think that needs no explanation,” Rick says.

See and know more? Then check out the video in this article!