California police don’t love their Tesla police cars

Elon Musk unveiled Tesla’s latest technology on Thursday evening, saying “the future should look like the future” of its sleek Cybercab robotaxis and a prototype of its new electric van.

Today, however, California police departments are regretting their decision to replace their fleets with Tesla Ys models. According to SFGate interviews with three Northern California police chiefs, it turns out that while Teslas are climate-friendly and prepare agencies for a zero-emissions future, they present many other challenges.

After the conversion, for example, the back seat of the car is too small for more than one passenger and the front seat is too narrow for the officers. Bosses also cite “autopilot intervention” in the abrupt attempt to veer off the road; say the reliance on charging stations leaves officers vulnerable when it comes to transporting suspects long distances; And note that during a firefight, police are taught to hide behind the engine block of a car. This is not an option with electric vehicles.