The Michigan State Police is evaluating the all-electric 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E as part of a special initiative. This program aims to assess the vehicle’s performance and share the findings with police fleet managers and purchasing officials across the country, which could significantly influence Ford Motor Company’s future police vehicle sales.

On Monday, the Michigan State Police announced that the Mach-E would be deployed immediately for patrol duties. This vehicle is allocated to the State Security Operations Section, where armed and uniformed officers focus on law enforcement and security at state-owned or leased properties in the Lansing area, as stated by the state police.

“This presents an exciting chance for us to observe how a battery electric vehicle performs during patrols in real-time,” said Col. James Grady, the director of the Michigan State Police, in a statement.

Grady noted that the security officers generally cover much fewer miles per day compared to regular troopers and motor carrier officers, and they operate at lower speeds within the city limits. Coupled with the presence of charging stations in downtown Lansing, this makes it an ideal setting to test an electric vehicle suited for police work.

Other law enforcement agencies utilizing the Ford Mach-E include those in Ann Arbor, Oakdale, California, and Westchester County, New York, as mentioned on www.officer.com.

Ford’s Experience with Police Vehicles

Lindsey Bertino, the police brand marketing manager for Ford, informed the Detroit Free Press that the company will collaborate with the state police as part of their annual Police Vehicle Evaluation testing, with input from the patrol team on Ford’s Police Advisory Board.

She explained that the Mustang Mach-E Police Pilot program started as an initiative for the 2022 model year, being evaluated through the Michigan State Police’s vehicle performance testing.

“We have drawn insights from these tests to continuously enhance our strategy for police vehicles,” Bertino stated. “We are thrilled that the Michigan State Police is employing the Mustang Mach-E to explore how alternative powertrains perform over extended use during patrol duties.”

The outcomes of the Michigan State Police assessments are crucial for Ford, as demonstrated a few years ago when the company highlighted its new 2020 Police Interceptor Utility, which was recognized for having the fastest acceleration among police vehicles in America, according to early testing data from the Michigan State Police. Ford announced that it outperformed all competitors, including V8-equipped cars, showcasing the quickest times for both 0-60 mph and 0-100 mph, as well as the fastest lap times.

Ford has been supplying vehicles for police use since the early 1900s. In 1915, the Oakland, California police department was so impressed with Ford models that they decided to standardize their fleet with them, based on Ford’s historical records.

In 1950, Ford became the first car manufacturer to produce a dedicated police vehicle package. This package included three performance options: the V-8 Special, the 100 horsepower V8, and a 95 horsepower six-cylinder engine. The design featured enhancements for comfort, durability, speed, and safety, leading to widespread popularity, including a significant order of 430 vehicles from the New York Police Department.

Today, Ford produces a range of vehicles tailored for police operations, including the F-150 Lightning Pro Special Service Vehicle. In 2023, the Claremont, New Hampshire Police Department became one of the first to put the Lightning SSV into service, after receiving it as a donation from a local Ford dealership. The Lightning Pro SSV is among the first electric vehicles specifically designed for use by police agencies.

However, Ford’s most popular police vehicle remains the gasoline-powered Interceptor SUV, based on the Explorer, capable of reaching speeds of 150 mph. The starting price for the 2024 model is $47,165. According to Ford spokesman Said Deep, this vehicle is widely used by numerous police departments across the country.

The state police invested $39,600 to acquire its Mach-E, as stated by spokesman Mike Shaw.

‘Opportunities for Cost Savings’

The Precision Driving Unit of the Michigan State Police is well-known across the nation for its annual Police Vehicle Evaluation. This unit is tasked with testing and assessing police vehicles from diverse manufacturers, including those powered by alternative fuels. The compiled data is shared to assist police fleet managers and procurement officers in making informed vehicle choices.

“We started investigating battery electric vehicles in 2022, but up until now, hybrids were the only alternative fuel vehicles in our lineup,” said Lt. Nicholas Darlington, commander of the Precision Driving Unit. “Integrating this battery electric vehicle into our patrol fleet will allow us to observe its long-term performance to assess potential cost savings and wider applicability in our fleet.”

Spokesman Shaw informed the Free Press that the duration of the Mach-E test before results are published is still uncertain, commenting, “They might opt for annual evaluations or just one comprehensive report at the end.”

Jamie L. LaReau is the senior automotive writer covering Ford Motor Co. for the Detroit Free Press. You can reach Jamie at jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan.