Austrian police launches BEV pilot project

The Austrian police are testing a total of 23 electric cars in four federal provinces for their suitability in police service. The pilot project will start in the fourth quarter of 2023, but the 20 police stations in Salzburg, Lower Austria, Vienna and Tyrol have already taken delivery of the electric cars.

According to a statement by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the fleet consists of 23 VW ID.3 and ID.4 models in blue light and civilian versions. Project partner Porsche Austria is also providing the police with a Porsche Taycan for a one-year test.

“When it comes to a sustainable economy, the public service has a great role model and steering function. As a large blue-light organisation, the police take this role seriously and are examining existing possibilities for conversion to zero-emission vehicles,” says Franz Ruf, Director General for Public Safety. The electric vehicles are to be tested “in the entire spectrum of police operations”, from patrol duty to securing accident scenes to pursuits. In particular, the performance, charging management and safety issues will be tested.

A study called KIRAS was conducted in 2019 on the general usability of alternative forms of mobility with a focus on electromobility for police operations in Austria. In addition to the Ministry of the Interior, the Austrian Institute of Technology as consortium leader and the companies Porsche Austria, Allmobil (a subsidiary of Porsche Holding, now MOON Power) and Wien Energie were involved. The result proposed at the time was “basic usability in sub-areas of the police”. Before making an actual decision, however, the consortium recommended a broadly based practical test in the different areas of use, especially under climatically difficult conditions.

According to an announcement by the Ministry of the Interior, this large-scale test will now take place. The practical test is to be completed by the end of 2025. This will be followed by the analysis and processing of the results in 2026.

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