BMW To Supply Los Angeles Police Department With 100 i3 Sedans

German automaker BMW has beaten California-based Tesla Motors Inc. by winning a contract to supply the Los Angeles Police Department with 100 electric cars.

BMW will deliver 100 of its i3 all-electric plug-in vehicles, which the LAPD will use for community outreach and police business.

In the last year, the LAPD has been seen testing Tesla’s P85D, a variant of the Model S that has been discontinued. The Police Department was apparently looking at buying or leasing the replacement, the P90D, but decided on the BMW i3 instead.
 

MDarringer - 6/8/2016 3:51:22 PM

0 Boost

The i3 is a MUCH better public-relations statement than the Tesla. The LAPD simply had no business having ANY Teslas because they are premium sedans. Some people seeing them would say "there goes my squandered tax dollar" but people are used to seeing BMW copcycles and in person the i3 in no way looks premium. Perhaps BMW has found the i3's purpose: nondescript, municipal, green car that no one will envy.

monster - 6/8/2016 4:16:19 PM

+3 Boost

I don't know about that. Why not the Nissan Leaf or the Chevy volt. I could still say there goes my tax dollars on a "Premium BMW".

MDarringer - 6/8/2016 5:33:45 PM

-1 Boost

Clearly you have not ever seen or driven a BMW up close. It's very low rent and cheap looking. If you drive one, you'll swear at it rather than swearing it's a BMW. It wouldn't surprise me if BMW cut a fire-sale deal given how poorly the i3 is selling. Granted the Volt makes infinitely more sense gives than it never runs out of juice, but I'm banking on a deal having been made. BMW probably has commitments to suppliers for the i3 that the sales simply are not reaching.

jeffgall - 6/8/2016 7:18:50 PM

+4 Boost

Now all I have to do to evade the Police in Southern California is have a full tank and out run the i3's battery.

MrEE - 6/8/2016 7:43:18 PM

+3 Boost

Apparently for low distance service (80 mile range), maybe parking ticket duty. Volt would have been a better choice; better PR and functionality.

MBguy - 6/8/2016 8:06:33 PM

+2 Boost

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck was on TV today to discuss this. He said the vehicles were purchased for administrative service only (i.e., not for patrols and law enforcement).

He also said that they wanted to go with a purely electric vehicle in order to limit emissions.

monster - 6/8/2016 9:13:20 PM

+2 Boost

Clearly the Leaf is cheaper and has a longer range. Probably the BMW sales person was better at convincing the Chief.

MorePower - 6/9/2016 2:26:11 PM

+1 Boost

BMW has a "higher resale value" is the reason/excuse used in these purchases.

I could see a Model X patrol vehicle, Commanders or protection detail only, if they prove to be reliable.