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MagyarUP.FIT launches world’s first Tesla Cybertruck Next-Gen Patrol vehicle for law enforcement departments nationwide
UP.FIT, a division of Unplugged Performance, has launched the world’s first Cybertruck Next-Gen Patrol vehicle along with other upfitted Tesla models for law enforcement departments nationwide. The Teslas are quieter vehicles for stealth patrols and serve as EV alternatives for departments making the move to electrification.
The key advantage of the Cybertruck is its strong, stainless steel body panels, which withstand multiple 9mm and shotgun rounds without penetration, but not .223 Remington and .50 BMG rounds. The truck can be upgraded with NIJ level 3 ballistics protection for added officer protection against surprise attacks and during active engagements, which should be standard in crime-filled cities like Los Angeles. No ballistics testing information has been released regarding the exterior window protection upgrade.
The Cybertruck also has acceleration of 0 to 60 mph of 2.6 seconds and 0 to 100 mph of 6.9 seconds, faster than common police vehicles, allowing the vehicle to keep up with speedsters. Of course, EVs have downsides. Repeated acceleration and high speeds quickly drain batteries and reduce range significantly. For example, a Tesla Model S with a nominal range of about 300 miles at 55 mph with a 85 kWh battery drops to under 150 miles at speeds above 100 mph. Sub-zero temperatures that many states experience during winter sap battery range and hinder charging, too.
The heavy-duty patrol option is another must-have and includes a laptop mount, stealth communication antennas, shotgun/rifle mount, and rear-seat prisoner partition. Critically, no mention of a waterproof, pathogen-resistant prisoner seating option is given, so cleanup of messes will be troublesome.
Teslas have other downsides that departments need to plan for. The vehicles commonly use megacasting or gigacasting for their main bodies. Although stronger than assembled bodies, megacast structure damage resulting from severe crashes is harder to repair, resulting in full vehicle write-offs that also increase insurance premiums. Another downside is component failure due to faulty designs. Police vehicles are often driven at their limits during pursuits, stressing components. Tesla suspension components have suddenly broken, but Tesla has aggressively denied warranty claims. Tesla parts are sometimes out of stock for months, resulting in long repair delays for some owners that are compounded by the lack of dealership coverage across much of rural America, unlike Ford.
Readers itching to drive a Cybertruck patrol vehicle should prepare for the police officer exam (with a book like this on Amazon). Exact pricing has not been revealed, but upfitting typically adds over $30k to the cost of a vehicle, and Cybertrucks start at over $80k. For comparison, a Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicle typically sells for $45-55K before upfitting. Still, the cost should be quite affordable to well-funded departments like the Los Angeles Police with a $1.86 billion budget. Deliveries of the Cybertruck Next-Gen Patrol vehicle is expected to begin later this year. Hopefully, Cybertruck patrol vehicles will better protect officers from autopilot Tesla crashes, like this one resulting from failed detection of vehicles on the road despite multiple forward cameras.
Source(s)
World's First Tesla Cybertruck Police Vehicle
Hawthorne, CA - June 7, 2024 - UP.FIT, the global leader in upfitting Tesla's for fleet use, and a division of Unplugged Performance, proudly introduces the world's first Tesla Cybertruck Patrol vehicle ready for use by public safety officials everywhere. From police and fire departments to military and tactical response agencies, UP.FIT has leveraged its extensive Tesla experience to transform the Cybertruck's revolutionary platform for specialty use. This cutting-edge platform represents a significant leap forward in first-responder vehicle solutions, setting a new standard for safety, efficiency, and innovation.
The UP.FIT Tesla Cybertruck Next-Gen Patrol vehicle, showcased in a recently released video, has garnered substantial interest from agencies across the country eager to enhance their patrol capabilities. The strong demand for this new electric truck platform, underscores the confidence law enforcement agencies have in the transformative potential of the UP.FIT Cybertruck. Combining an unrivaled stainless steel exoskeleton, sports-car grade on-road capabilities, and the most advanced safety technologies have proven enticing to fleet operators around the world.
"The UP.FIT Cybertruck Next-Gen Patrol vehicle represents a significant engineering leap into the future and we're excited to offer law enforcement agencies the future of policing." said Ben Schaffer, CEO of Unplugged Performance. "We've been thrilled with the direct feedback from police departments that have participated in our Cybertruck development and we look forward to deploying these complete UP.FIT vehicles to law enforcement agencies across the nation this year." he said.
The UP.FIT Cybertruck combines Tesla's unparalleled electric vehicle technology with Unplugged Performance's expertise in vehicle modification and adaptation to deliver a complete turn-key solution to meet the needs of police departments. It features the expected suite of warning lights, sirens, PA system, as well as upgraded radio and computer systems thanks to specialized wiring systems and proprietary integrations. UP.FIT Cybertruck can be customized for tactical, military or search and rescue missions with available prisoner partitions, storage for weapons and specialty tools, K9 enclosures, upgraded vehicle dynamics with specialized UP.FIT Forged wheel and tire packages, braking systems, and optional upgrades for extreme off-road usage, as well as Starlink internet connectivity. Law enforcement agencies and fleet operators will find the UP.FIT Cybertruck a key advancement in practical policing, offering officers the best tools to protect and serve communities effectively.
Unplugged Performance's UP.FIT division has built a strong reputation as the global leader in upfitting Tesla vehicles. They are also offering enhanced electrification, infrastructure planning, consulting, and fleet management services with state-of-the-art fleet management software as well as technical training and certification for departments looking to enhance their knowledge and maintenance expertise. Additionally, UP.FIT is revolutionizing the industry by offering training and behind-the-wheel experiences to maximize these vehicles' potential for field-training officers, EVOC Instructors and technical maintenance staff.
UP.FIT is taking Cybertruck Next-Gen Patrol orders now with deliveries as early as late 2024. To learn more about UP.FIT's Cybertruck Patrol vehicle program, visit up.fit.
