Emergency in Zurich: the police are moving out. But not with a classic emergency vehicle, but with an electric car from Germany. Because the Zurich canton police want to test shortly how the Audi e-tron acts as a patrol car. Now the German car manufacturer has to deliver.
The police test of the Audi e-tron in the Swiss canton of Zurich will start in February, according to a message from the local emergency services. The plan is to put the fully electric and all-wheel drive patrol vehicle through its paces not only in city traffic, but also on motorways.
AUDI E-TRON AS A POLICE CAR – MILE EATER FOR A BETTER CLIMATE
In total, the car should travel 400,000 kilometers in order to then determine the actual operating costs of the electric car. In addition, it is planned to subsequently analyze the suitability for use in everyday police operations and the service life of the battery.
The test vehicle, an Audi e-tron 55 Quattro, is equipped with a very flat special signaling system (roof bars), a follow-up measuring device, a radio and signaling, locking, rescue, photo and personal protection material. Cameras are used instead of exterior mirrors. Thus it is the first fully electric and all-wheel drive vehicle that meets the basic requirements for a traffic police vehicle in the canton of Zurich.
The first hybrid vehicles have been in use at the Zurich cantonal police since 2004. The first fully electric vehicle was ordered in 2015. As of the end of 2019, the proportion of vehicles with an alternative drive was around 13 percent. The Audi e-tron is now heralding a new phase.
POLICE IN BERLIN ARE ALSO TESTING ALTERNATIVE DRIVES
The Berlin police are also breaking new ground with alternative drive technologies for their patrol cars. In the future, two Toyota Mirai will also be used on patrols in the German capital . They are equipped with a fuel cell for a hydrogen drive, so they run emission-free because they only emit water vapor.
