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Tesla squad car runs out of battery chasing suspect at high speed, California cops say

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https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/loc...s-Low-on-Battery-Power-Fremont-561297591.html



A police officer in Fremont was driving the department’s Tesla Model S patrol car Friday night when, according to a report from the East Bay Times, he became involved in a vehicle pursuit – and then received warning that he only had about six miles of battery life left.

Officer Jesse Hartman radioed into dispatch to inform them of his predicament and to let them know that he may not be able to continue the pursuit, which had begun in Fremont and included speeds up to 120 miles per hour, the East Bay Times reported.

The East Bay Times reported that it wasn’t long after Hartman requested assistance that the suspect vehicle began driving on the shoulder, dangerously passing traffic, so the department called off the chase.

CHP officers later found the suspect vehicle abandoned in San Jose. Police said the car was wanted in connection with a crime in Santa Clara.

A felony warrant has been issued for the driver, who has yet to be located.

The Tesla was not fully charged at the beginning of Hartman's shift, which began at 2 p.m. and the pursuit begain around 11 p.m., Fremont Police spokesperson Geneva Bosques said, adding that when the Tesla is fully charged it usually has about 40 to 50% of battery left coming at the end of a shift.

"It happens from time to time, especially if an officer returns to the station to take a report and then they never go back out in the street," Bsoques said about why the vehicle wasn't fully charged in an e-mail to NBC Bay Area. "The officer was monitoring the charge and responsibly notifying every one of its status during the approximate 10 mile pursuit. We had other units behind the Tesla in the pursuit to take over and CHP was also responding. Pursuits on the freeway are usually pretty short in duration, as we turn them over to CHP as soon as they get to our location."

Back in March, the Fremont police department purchased the Tesla as part of a pilot program aimed at measuring the vehicle’s efficiency to see if it would be a good fit for law enforcement use.

"This is the second pursuit the Tesla has performed well in. This one instance does not in any way change our feeling regarding the performance of the vehicle for patrol purposes," Bosques said. "So far the car is meeting or exceeding our expectations. We are still in our first 6 months of the pilot program and we’re keeping track of all the data."
 


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motorhead

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We didn't want to apprehend him right now anyway... we're playing cat and mouse.
 


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Markp

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_pdp_sq_.jpg
 


Slowpoke387

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No different than gas really. Last guy doesnt fill up, next guy is going to run out. Not the car’s fault.
 


Markp

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No different than gas really. Last guy doesnt fill up, next guy is going to run out. Not the car’s fault.
Much different, it takes about two min to fill up your gas police car to 100%. If the last guy doesn't fill up your gas car it is no big deal you can fill it quickly. Electric........ this is what happens.
 


Blown7

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https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/loc...s-Low-on-Battery-Power-Fremont-561297591.html



A police officer in Fremont was driving the department’s Tesla Model S patrol car Friday night when, according to a report from the East Bay Times, he became involved in a vehicle pursuit – and then received warning that he only had about six miles of battery life left.

Officer Jesse Hartman radioed into dispatch to inform them of his predicament and to let them know that he may not be able to continue the pursuit, which had begun in Fremont and included speeds up to 120 miles per hour, the East Bay Times reported.

The East Bay Times reported that it wasn’t long after Hartman requested assistance that the suspect vehicle began driving on the shoulder, dangerously passing traffic, so the department called off the chase.

CHP officers later found the suspect vehicle abandoned in San Jose. Police said the car was wanted in connection with a crime in Santa Clara.

A felony warrant has been issued for the driver, who has yet to be located.

The Tesla was not fully charged at the beginning of Hartman's shift, which began at 2 p.m. and the pursuit begain around 11 p.m., Fremont Police spokesperson Geneva Bosques said, adding that when the Tesla is fully charged it usually has about 40 to 50% of battery left coming at the end of a shift.

"It happens from time to time, especially if an officer returns to the station to take a report and then they never go back out in the street," Bsoques said about why the vehicle wasn't fully charged in an e-mail to NBC Bay Area. "The officer was monitoring the charge and responsibly notifying every one of its status during the approximate 10 mile pursuit. We had other units behind the Tesla in the pursuit to take over and CHP was also responding. Pursuits on the freeway are usually pretty short in duration, as we turn them over to CHP as soon as they get to our location."

Back in March, the Fremont police department purchased the Tesla as part of a pilot program aimed at measuring the vehicle’s efficiency to see if it would be a good fit for law enforcement use.

"This is the second pursuit the Tesla has performed well in. This one instance does not in any way change our feeling regarding the performance of the vehicle for patrol purposes," Bosques said. "So far the car is meeting or exceeding our expectations. We are still in our first 6 months of the pilot program and we’re keeping track of all the data."

Good to see you here Joel!!
 


Slowpoke387

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Much different, it takes about two min to fill up your gas police car to 100%. If the last guy doesn't fill up your gas car it is no big deal you can fill it quickly. Electric........ this is what happens.
I guess. But people just need to do their jobs. If the last guy doesnt fill it up, the next guy runs out in a pursuit regardless. They're not stopping mid-pursuit to fill up. Either way it's the operator.
 


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What a joke, only in CA and filling up a petrol patrol cars takes minutes, filling up a Tesla model S takes hours, 10 to be exact and that's more than the typical police shift.
 


Markp

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I guess. But people just need to do their jobs. If the last guy doesnt fill it up, the next guy runs out in a pursuit regardless. They're not stopping mid-pursuit to fill up. Either way it's the operator.
I get what your saying but your missing my point. If last guy doesn't fill up the next guy can fill up in 2 min while he gets his coffee and donuts at the start of the shift. With electric that is not possible if the car is not charged your screwed.
 


Hellcat Cuda

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Unfortunately, police departments and the municipalities they are a part of are under a lot of pressure and scrutiny to lower their "carbon footprint". This is not just in California, but of course, California leads the way. They HAVE TO at least make an effort and try various means of doing so.

It will be interesting to see how these Tesla tests go. A big part of the problem from the "user" side is that city councils get pressure from the state and general public; they put pressure on the city manager; city manager then puts pressure on Police and Fire. Nobody resists, they just do what they're told.

The law enforcement career is changing drastically, in so many ways. I feel real bad for them, especially the young ones who are at the start of their career.

BTW, police work is BRUTAL on cars, more than you may think. The battery situation with the Tesla is more just a re-charge management issue. The real test is whether or not the cars can stand up to the use. The first '06 Charger Hemi pursuit cars suffered immensly from dropped valve seats. FCA told agencies they cured that problem with the "new" 5.7 Eagle. Unfortunately, they created a cam / lifter problem with the Eagle.
 


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Speedy!

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My Dad is a 34 year retired metro police officer. When I considered becoming an officer he threatened to disown me and that was 20 years ago. Can't imagine now and why anyone would want the job for what it pays and the typical interaction you'll have with the public. Glad someone wants to do it though!
 


Slowpoke387

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I get what your saying but your missing my point. If last guy doesn't fill up the next guy can fill up in 2 min while he gets his coffee and donuts at the start of the shift. With electric that is not possible if the car is not charged your screwed.
Yeah I actually thought of that. My comment was more towards the chase situation that was posted. I agree though, filling up is a lot easier than sitting around.
 


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72 440 Barracuda

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Unfortunately, police departments and the municipalities they are a part of are under a lot of pressure and scrutiny to lower their "carbon footprint". This is not just in California, but of course, California leads the way. They HAVE TO at least make an effort and try various means of doing so.

It will be interesting to see how these Tesla tests go. A big part of the problem from the "user" side is that city councils get pressure from the state and general public; they put pressure on the city manager; city manager then puts pressure on Police and Fire. Nobody resists, they just do what they're told.

The law enforcement career is changing drastically, in so many ways. I feel real bad for them, especially the young ones who are at the start of their career.

BTW, police work is BRUTAL on cars, more than you may think. The battery situation with the Tesla is more just a re-charge management issue. The real test is whether or not the cars can stand up to the use. The first '06 Charger Hemi pursuit cars suffered immensly from dropped valve seats. FCA told agencies they cured that problem with the "new" 5.7 Eagle. Unfortunately, they created a cam / lifter problem with the Eagle.
I would be curious to really understand the "carbon footprint" issue - specifically the full lifecycle of the electric car. I think "green" is more of a ploy to control than any real improvement in the environment. But then again I don't believe in man-made global warming either. Yes, there is climate change - always has been and always will be, that big yellow ball in the sky has the largest part in that...
 


Hellcat Cuda

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I would be curious to really understand the "carbon footprint" issue - specifically the full lifecycle of the electric car. I think "green" is more of a ploy to control than any real improvement in the environment. But then again I don't believe in man-made global warming either. Yes, there is climate change - always has been and always will be, that big yellow ball in the sky has the largest part in that...
I don't buy into all that green/carbon footprint crap myself. Just telling what's going on. I spent the majority of my career in the private and corporate sectors, often making fun and jokes about the government. Then I spent the last 16 years in city government(!?!?) and found that even from the inside, jokes are made of it. However, nobody does anything about the BS that goes on. They just keep doing their job and what they've been told to do to keep their job, and especially their pension. When I arrived there, I started asking "why" and pushing for changes. Over the time I was there, I was slowly beaten down to the point of futility. The phrase "you can't fight city hall" became very true for me. God Bless our current President for his courage and tenacity to make changes.

The electric cars eliminate the immediate use of gasoline and police departments DO use a lot of fuel; much of it while idling. I will be curious of how the electric cars do overall. I cannot picture a whole fleet of Tesla patrol cars. This current test car will likely end up as an administrative car in the city or given back to Tesla if it was some type of freebie or lease car.
 


ChargerChallenger

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I don't buy into all that green/carbon footprint crap myself. Just telling what's going on. I spent the majority of my career in the private and corporate sectors, often making fun and jokes about the government. Then I spent the last 16 years in city government(!?!?) and found that even from the inside, jokes are made of it. However, nobody does anything about the BS that goes on. They just keep doing their job and what they've been told to do to keep their job, and especially their pension. When I arrived there, I started asking "why" and pushing for changes. Over the time I was there, I was slowly beaten down to the point of futility. The phrase "you can't fight city hall" became very true for me. God Bless our current President for his courage and tenacity to make changes.

The electric cars eliminate the immediate use of gasoline and police departments DO use a lot of fuel; much of it while idling. I will be curious of how the electric cars do overall. I cannot picture a whole fleet of Tesla patrol cars. This current test car will likely end up as an administrative car in the city or given back to Tesla if it was some type of freebie or lease car.
The future police force hanging out drinking coffee and eating their daily donut while letting the Tesla stay powered on all day.
70F342C1-7C9E-4698-8B6E-7E5F024B287D.jpeg
 


stonewall

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I would be curious to really understand the "carbon footprint" issue - specifically the full lifecycle of the electric car. I think "green" is more of a ploy to control than any real improvement in the environment. But then again I don't believe in man-made global warming either. Yes, there is climate change - always has been and always will be, that big yellow ball in the sky has the largest part in that...
Global warming is absolute BS. created by the liberal media community as a way and means to control people. And generate Money (TAX) I have over 200 acres of forest. and they charge me an additional tax every year because it has trees! wouldn't you think I should get a discount instead of a penalty? Two faced Bastides.
 


Proud American

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Global warming is absolute BS. created by the liberal media community as a way and means to control people. And generate Money (TAX) I have over 200 acres of forest. and they charge me an additional tax every year because it has trees! wouldn't you think I should get a discount instead of a penalty? Two faced Bastides.
Agreed. The modern environmentalist movement is like a crazy religious cult. it is nothing more than a smokescreen for money and power for the elites.
 


jroyk

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Agreed. The modern environmentalist movement is like a crazy religious cult. it is nothing more than a smokescreen for money and power for the elites.
It’s got a lot of young kids thinking the world is going to end before they become adults. Child abuse.
 


72 440 Barracuda

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It’s got a lot of young kids thinking the world is going to end before they become adults. Child abuse.
It's really sad, I have tried to talk to the "kids" at work and they looked at me like I was crazy for not buying into man made global warming... Are you you crazy? Do you think my professor in school was lying (they said wrong, but lying fits in my mind)? I replied: Yes, yes I do... They buy it hook, line, and sinker. sad
 


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You have to have a brain to be able to plug the car into an outlet. You have to have a brain to work with your foot print. The car was cheap. Probably confiscated or used federal funding's. If all these kids are worried about emissions, then quit eating at McDonalds. Cows are the biggest polluters on earth. Methane gas being emitted into the upper atmosphere is worse than China's power plants. Don't think slum lord from Nashville wood agree. Al Gore himself. Bastard. Stupid car is wicked fast.
 




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