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America's Police Fleet: Every New Cop Car You'll See In The US

EVs are starting to join the force.

America’s cop cars.

Anthony Alaniz

By: Anthony Alaniz

Updated: Jun 2, 2023 at 5:54pm ET

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America’s fleet of police cars is changing. The shift toward building electric vehicles will include makes and models often used by law enforcement agencies. Ford and Chevrolet already offer police-ready EVs, and Dodge shouldn’t be far behind with Charger production ceasing later this year.

The transition won’t happen overnight as budget-conscious municipalities often hesitate to adopt new, expensive technologies. However, there should be no shortage of options when they do decide to electrify. America’s police fleet will look different once agencies and departments begin replacing their combustion cars with EVs.

There aren’t many police “cars” left, as law enforcement agencies have followed consumers toward crossovers and SUVs. They dominate US streets, but Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge still offer a variety of vehicles ready for duty, none of which you want to see in your rearview mirror. Check out America’s changing law enforcement fleet below.

Chevrolet Blazer EV SS PPV

2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS PPV

Powertrain:
Output: 557 hp, 648 lb-ft

When the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV goes on sale, the automaker will also launch the Police Pursuit Vehicle, a purpose-built derivative with a specific interior designed to accommodate law enforcement equipment and gear. Chevy will offer it in rear- and all-wheel drive applications in the hotter SS configuration, which features a dual-motor powertrain making 557 horsepower and 648 pound-feet of torque. The SUV can sprint to 60 miles per hour in under four seconds.

Chevrolet Bolt Special Service Vehicle

Chevrolet Bolt Bolt EUV Special Service Vehicles

Powertrain: Single Permanent Magnetic Drive Motor
Output: 200 hp, 266 lb-ft

Chevrolet added the Bolt and Bolt EUV to its police fleet two years ago. The EVs are bare-bone models with few extra features. However, Chevrolet does add two additional electrical circuits to support any extra equipment such as computers or lighting. The conversion to police duty doesn’t hurt the range of either the Bolt or the Bolt EUV, which return 229 and 247 miles, respectively.

Chevrolet Express Transport Van

Powertrain: 4.3-liter V6 / 2.8-liter I4 / 6.0-liter V8
Output: 276 hp, 298 lb-ft / 181 hp, 369 lb-ft / 341 hp, 373 lb-ft

The Tahoe and Silverado are great for picking up a perp or two, but hauling several requires something bigger – the Chevy Express Transport Van, which can seat up to 15 people. This isn’t trying to look pretty because it’s all about function over form when it comes to keeping prisoners secure.

Chevrolet Silverado Police Pursuit Vehicle

Powertrain: 5.3-liter V8
Output: 355 hp, 383 lb-ft

The Chevy Silverado Police Pursuit Vehicle gets a makeover that gives the police vehicle the 271 off-road, six-piston Brembo front brakes with 16-inch rotors, all-terrain tires, and 20-inch steel wheels. Powering the pursuit pickup is GM’s 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8.

Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle

Powertrain: 5.3-liter V8
Output: 355 hp, 383 lb-ft

No police vehicle is complete without spotlights and a beefed-up police-rated suspension, and the Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle doesn’t disappoint. It’s the go-to Chevy police vehicle for departments across the country, boasting a cavernous cargo area, upgraded brakes, and fresh styling. Available options include a suite of driver assistance features like forward collision alert, lane keep assist, front pedestrian braking, following distance indicator, and more.

Dodge Charger Pursuit

Powertrain: 3.6-liter V6 / 5.7-liter V8
Output: 300 hp, 264 lb-ft / 370 hp, 395 lb-ft

The Dodge Charger is one of the few cars to make this list, and for a good reason. Its intimidating style has made it the staple of many law enforcement agencies across the country for nearly two decades, even as SUVs gain in popularity. However, Dodge is ending Charger production later this year (along with the challenger), and it’s already a concept that previews its successor. We might see blue-and-red lights on top of the electric Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept in the near future.

Dodge Durango Pursuit

Powertrain: 3.6-liter V6 / 5.7-liter V8
Output: 293 hp, 260 lb-ft / 360 hp, 390 lb-ft

Like the Charger, the Durango is one of the more stylish police SUVs out of the bunch. Dodge beefs up the SUV’s safety structure, offers a K-9 friendly automatic temperature control system, and installs high-performance brakes.

Ford Expedition Special Service Vehicle

Powertrain: 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost
Output: 375 hp, 470 lb-ft

The Expedition is the Explorer's larger police sibling, though it's not seen as often. The larger footprint makes the Expedition even more versatile, giving police the option to replace the third-row seats with extra cargo space for additional equipment. Ford also offers the Expedition Max in police guise for even more storage.

Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility

Powertrain: 3.3-liter V6 hybrid / 3.0-liter V6 EcoBoost / 3.3L V6
Output: 318 hp, 322 lb-ft /400 hp, 415 lb-ft / 285 hp, 260 lb-ft

The Ford Police Interceptor Utility is today’s go-to police vehicle for many law enforcement agencies. Ford worked hard to make it a superb Crown Vic/Taurus replacement. It's based on the Explorer and stands out from its competitors with its varied powertrain lineup. Ford offers it as a hybrid, which is the standard powertrain for the vehicle. Full-time all-wheel-drive and a 10-speed automatic are also standard features.

Ford F-150 Lightning Pro SSV

Powertrain: Dual Permanent Magnet Motors

Output: 452 hp, 775 lb-ft / 580 hp, 775 lb-ft

Ford is putting its electric pickup to work, offering the F-150 Lightning Pro to law enforcement agencies. The truck has two different horsepower ratings depending on whether it has the standard- or extended range battery. The 580-hp variant can sprint to 60 miles per hour in four seconds. Ford upgrades the seats and wraps them in cloth, while redesigning them to better accommodate gun holsters. It also modifies the dash to make installing equipment easier for agencies.

Ford F-150 Police Responder

Powertrain: 3.5-Liter V6 EcoBoost
Output: 400 hp, 500 lb-ft

The Ford F-150 Police Responder combines off-road capability and on-road pursuit performance into one vehicle. It arrives with a higher top speed, now reaching 120 miles per hour (193 kilometers per hour). The F-150 also has a max tow rating of 11,200 pounds (5,080 kilograms) and Ford’s latest technology features.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Ford Mustang Mach-E Police Concept Car

There isn’t an official Ford Mustang Mach-E police car just yet, but that hasn’t stopped departments in Europe and the US, like the NYPD, from adding one to their fleets. Ford announced a pilot program in 2021 that would test the Mach-E for police duty as the automaker explores producing purpose-built EVs for government agencies such as law enforcement.

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Ford Transit Prisoner Transport Vehicle

Powertrain: 3.5-Liter V6 / 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost
Output: 275 hp, 262 lb-ft / 310 hp, 400 lb-ft

Sometimes you have to haul some prisoners, and Ford has a solution – the Transit Police Transport Vehicle. It’s a Transit that Ford offers in three roof heights and three body lengths, with two different engines with two different engines that pair with the same 10-speed automatic. Ford also offers the all-electric E-Transit for police duty.

Ram 1500 Special Service Vehicle

Ram 1500 Special Services Vehicle

Powertrain: 5.7-Liter V8
Output: 395 hp, 410 lb-ft

There’s a new Ram 1500 that launched for 2019, but don't expect to find it in your town's police fleet. For that, Ram offers the last-gen Ram 1500 Classic that's ready for patrol. Ram offers it with both 3.21:1 and 3.92:1 rear axle ratios. Ram also provides it with on-the-fly four-wheel-drive capability and rear in-floor storage bins. The automaker revealed the 1500 REV earlier this year, but it’s not arriving until the 2025 model year so don’t expect an electric Ram 1500 police truck anytime soon.

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