The British Transport Police (BTP) is now operating its first electric response vehicle ahead of deploying an all-electric fleet by 2025.
The Tesla Model 3 is based at Guildford and is the first of 80 electric vehicles purchased by the BTP.
By the end of 2022, one quarter of the force’s fleet will be fully electric. This investment into a sustainable fleet will also include charging infrastructure and training for the officers driving the new vehicles.
Superintendent Chris Horton, Head of Driving Standards and Training at BTP, said:This is a landmark moment for us as our first all-electric response vehicle becomes operational, and it’s just the first step as we transition to a zero-emission fleet.
A lot of work has taken place behind the scenes in the lead up to this day to ensure the vehicles have been put through their paces and ultimately enhance our ability to keep everyone on the railway safe.
They are high-performance and can travel across the country quickly on just a small amount of charge. The officers who have had training behind the wheel have provided positive feedback on the vehicles and I’m excited to see more out on the UK roads.
BTP polices the railway across England, Scotland and Wales, which often requires officers to travel long distances to respond to incidents.
The force’s purchased electric vehicles have completed rigorous testing to ensure they are fit for policing purposes. These tests have focussed on their range, efficiency, safety and charging speed.
On a standard charge, the vehicles can travel 300 miles. They can also be powered using ultra-rapid charging, which provides a 100-range after just 10 minutes.
