New Zealand Police is rolling out a new electric vehicle to be trialled for operational needs over the next six months. The BMW i4 has been selected for the initial trial, successfully meeting most performance requirements for an operational vehicle while fulfilling carbon reduction targets and fitting within existing project funding.
“Road Policing has been identified as a suitable trial for operational use and the trial is initially limited to five vehicles,” says a police spokesperson. “If the trial is successful, it will create an opportunity for Police to consider future options EVs to transition into suitable areas of the fleet.
“This trial is part of a wider fleet electrification project, introducing 45 electric vehicles into the New Zealand Police Fleet and the associated charging infrastructure. The expectation is this will reduce carbon emissions by around 176.1 tonnes annually.
“This trial aligns New Zealand with global Policing innovations and modernises and transforms our fleet while seeking to meet our carbon reduction targets. In unveiling the trial vehicle in Auckland today, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said the vehicle represented an important commitment to reducing carbon emissions. “Police vehicles are fundamental to our ability to serve the public and provide safer communities across New Zealand”.
The first vehicle will be trialled in the Waikato, and then deployed to Counties Manukau, Central Districts, Christchurch, and Dunedin.
Credit: sunlive.co.nz
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