BMW Wins Bid to Supply LAPD With 100 Electric Vehicles

The Los Angeles Police Department just inked a deal that will see 100 BMW i3 electric vehicles wear the iconic black-and-white paint job of their vehicle fleet.

BMW emerged the winner in a supply bid that saw the i3 and rival EVs vie for the LAPD contract. The force chose the slab-sided Bimmer for its reliability and connectivity, and for the company’s charging infrastructure and service network.

If you’re imagining the stubby i3s hanging their tails out as they slide around L.A. streets in hot pursuit of a suspect, think again. The EVs are bound for the LAPD’s non-emergency fleet, meaning officers will use the vehicles for basic transportation and community outreach.

“The attributes of the BMW i3 position it to excel as the ideal vehicle for municipal organizations,” said Ludwig Willisch, president and CEO of BMW of North America, in a statement. “The performance and technical capabilities, such as the BMW i3 ‘s acceleration, and its ConnectedDrive integration, are perfectly suited to transform the future mobility of the Los Angeles Police Department while also reducing their carbon footprint.”

Following field trials earlier this year, the LAPD rejected the Tesla Model S as a pursuit vehicle due to excessive cost and concerns about recharging. To monitor the new i3 fleet, which should roll out of precinct garages shortly, the vehicles’ data system will be integrated with the force’s fleet management system.

The contract is part of the city’s efforts to green its municipal vehicle fleet.

Small and tall, the BMW i3’s 22-kWh battery offers a range of 80 to 100 miles, while its electric motor is good for 170 horsepower and 184 pounds-feet of torque.

[Image: @ 2016 Kevin McCauley/The Truth About Cars]