Take a ride-along in Palo Alto PD’s new Rivian patrol vehicle

PALO ALTO, Calif. (KRON) — The Palo Alto Police Department has introduced the world’s first Rivian electric vehicle as a patrol car, marking a significant step towards sustainable law enforcement. The Rivian SUV, which began patrol duties this week, is custom outfitted with police gear and offers impressive acceleration due to its electric vehicle technology.

This initiative is part of the department’s ongoing efforts to integrate more environmentally friendly vehicles into their fleet.

“There is among some people a misperception that EVs are slow or that they lack acceleration. It’s actually far from the case,” said James Reifschneider, Assistant Chief of Palo Alto Police. “The acceleration is actually quite good on this car and so we’re pretty confident that it will perform as needed if it had to in a pursuit.”

The Rivian patrol car is equipped with exterior cameras that provide a near 360-degree view, enhancing transparency and accountability in police operations. This feature complements other technologies used by the department, such as body-worn cameras.

Despite the advantages, there are concerns about the electric vehicle’s range and charging downtime. The Rivian has a range of about 300 miles and will be used by a patrol supervisor for 12 hours a day, which is less than the typical 24-hour usage of traditional patrol cars.

The Palo Alto Police Department already utilizes half a dozen hybrid vehicles and plans to expand its fleet with more electric vehicles in the future.

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