The Baden-Württemberg police force has acquired 150 electric and 113 hybrid vehicles as part of a pilot project. The police initially touted the electric cars as an “investment in our collective safety and climate protection.” However, a recent report by Welt newspaper has revealed that the vehicles have been experiencing battery drain during police operations, leading to the need to abort missions.
According to the German Police Union, the vehicles’ performance has been inconsistent and in some cases, the battery has run out during operations. The union’s leader, Ralf Kusterer, stated that the reality of the situation is that police officers often wait at charging stations, unable to respond to calls, as their vehicles are recharging.
The Baden-Württemberg Interior Ministry, however, has defended the project, stating that the electric vehicles allow officers to work on their smartphones while charging, an assertion that has been disputed by the police union.
The German Police Union’s federal chairman, Rainer Wendt, has criticized the project, calling it “absurd” for police to be unable to respond to calls due to the need to recharge their vehicles. He also highlighted the lack of charging infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, where the police often have limited resources and rely on a single vehicle.
The controversy has raised questions about the feasibility of using electric vehicles for police operations, particularly in rural areas, where the lack of charging infrastructure could compromise response times.