California Desires To Drive You To Personal an EV, however When It Selected a Particular New Police Automobile For the California Freeway Patrol, It Selected A Large Honkin’ Gasoline-Gulper

“Do as we are saying, not as we do.” That appears to be the federal government of California’s mantra. When the California Freeway Patrol selected a brand new low-profile undercover-sort-of freeway patrol automobile to seek for dangerous guys driving aggressively, it picked a giant three-row SUV with a HEMI V8 gasoline engine. 

“The brand new automobiles give our officers an vital benefit,” stated CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “They may permit us to determine and cease drivers who’re placing others in danger, whereas nonetheless displaying an expert and visual presence as soon as enforcement motion is required.”

The Dodge Durango CHP selected a improbable automobile. We’ve examined it many instances, and we love each model of the Durango. CHP might have opted for a comparatively fuel-efficient V6, however, in response to the Desert Solar, opted for the V8, similar to we might do if we have been shopping for one. 2024 Durangos with the V8 have EPA-Estimated Mixed gasoline effectivity rankings as little as 13 MPG, relying on the precise V8 chosen. 

California’s Freeway Patrol actually loves its gas-burning automobiles. Right here’s what they printed in a doc about them: 

These 100 Dodge Durangos—paired with our present high-performance fleet, which
consists of Dodge Chargers and Ford Explorers—mix into site visitors simply sufficient to
observe probably the most reckless and harmful behaviors with out instant detection.
As soon as enforcement begins, their markings function a transparent reminder that security is the
CHP’s prime precedence.

SUVs the scale of the Durango utilized by California’s Freeway Patrol have been on sale in America now for ten years. Three corporations construct battery-electric SUVs this dimension in America. Rivian’s R1S is in-built Regular, Illinois. The R1S is able to a 0-60 MPH launch of simply 2.9 seconds. The factor is a rocket, and would haven’t any hassle with the function of a pursuit automobile. Tesla has been making a three-row all-electric SUV referred to as the Mannequin X for about ten years now, and it’s as quick or sooner than the Rivian. Guess the place this American firm builds that SUV? Fremont, California, of all locations. Go determine. Kia additionally makes a three-row SUV in America. The EV9 has earned excessive reward from reviewers. It’s in-built Georgia. 

We might carry on harping concerning the abject hypocrisy of California forcing EVs down the throats of its residents and people who stay in states that undertake CARB’s mandates, minimums, and extra, however you get the image. When California needed a automobile for itself, it selected a gig whomping SUV with a gas-gulping V8 engine in it. Identical to one you may want. Proper?

Here is what California says about EVs and your mandate to personal one: “Governor Newsom’s 2020 Government Order N-79-20 requires all new passenger automobiles bought in California to be zero emissions by 2035.”

How do you are feeling about California pushing EVs on residents whereas nonetheless shopping for V8-powered fuel gulpers? Inform us within the feedback beneath.

Psst: Do you know that Ford makes fuel-efficient hybrid SUVs only for police obligation? We drove one. Here is the Story. 

John Goreham is a credentialed New England Motor Press Affiliation member and professional automobile tester. John accomplished an engineering program with a give attention to electrical automobiles, adopted by 20 years of labor in high-tech, biopharma, and the automotive provide chain earlier than changing into a information contributor. He’s a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE int). Along with his eleven years of labor at Torque Information, John has printed 1000’s of articles and opinions at American information shops. He’s identified for providing unfiltered opinions on automobile matters. You may join with John on Linkedin and observe his work on his private X channel or on our X channel. Please be aware that tales carrying John’s by-line are by no means AI-generated, however he does make use of grammar and punctuation software program when proofreading and he additionally makes use of picture era instruments. 

California Freeway Patrol’s new gas-gulping V8-powered patrol automobile proven at prime of web page courtesy of the public Fb web page of the California Freeway Patrol. The second picture reveals an Instagram put up by the California Freeway Patrol.