In Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany, the police are testing electric vehicles. It turns out that they don’t always perform as expected, and operations have already had to be canceled due to drained batteries. The pilot project is currently being criticized by the police union, reports the “Welt” newspaper.
The idea was announced last summer as an “investment in the safety of us all, as well as in climate protection” – but in reality, the pilot project by the Baden-Württemberg government is clearly causing problems, the portal noted.
Around 150 fully electric and 113 hybrid vehicles were purchased for the fleet in southwestern Germany. However, the cars don’t always perform as expected, which could have consequences for safety, it was reported.
“The German police union criticized the fact that the batteries drain too quickly, leading to operations being interrupted. It is not known how often this has happened so far,” writes “Welt.”
The “Bild” newspaper portal noted that “patrol officers spend part of their working time not chasing criminals, but at charging stations.” In a statement to “Bild,” regional union chairman Ralf Kusterer criticized the electric vehicle project for the police.
Federal chairman of the German police union, Rainer Wendt, told WELT news television that it is “complete absurdity” if the police cannot respond because patrol cars are “at a charging station at Aldi.”