More infrastructure needed before EVs can join the ranks, say WA police
Good performance but lacklustre refuelling options headline the results of WAPOL’s first ZEV studyThe Western Australia Police Force (WAPOL) has outlined the findings of the zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) trial that started in 2022, and the overwhelming conclusion is the need for more recharging and refuelling infrastructure before ZEVs can become police patrol cars.
Launched in June 2022, the trial saw a Hyundai IONIQ 5 AWD and Toyota Mirai added to the WAPOL fleet on a temporary basis for the force to evaluate the suitability of battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles for future full-time deployment.
The 225kW/605Nm IONIQ 5 was trialled as a State Traffic division patrol car as well as general duties at the Midland, Rockingham, Geraldton and Bunbury police stations, while the Mirai was trialled exclusively in Fremantle due to the scarce availability of hydrogen fuel in WA.
“From a performance perspective the vehicles showed great promise and proved capable of meeting many of the required performance criteria for operational police vehicles,” a spokesperson told carsales.
“However, the challenge that was present with both vehicles was the availability of infrastructure to support timely charging and refuelling.
“The availability of public facing services proved problematic and the logistics involved in establishing dedicated fuelling and charging facilities in WA Police premises is challenging.”
The WA government detailed its $60m EV package just a month prior to the trial’s announcement, including the allocation of $22.6 million for the installation of public charging infrastructure in the state.
An extra $5.2 million worth of EV rebates were announced last month as the state government prepares for another surge in zero-emission vehicles sales this year – in stark contrast to Victoria, NSW, South Australia and the ACT, which either already have or soon will wind back their EV incentives.
According to WAPOL, the 2022 trial yielded “data relevant to the potential future use of these types of vehicles”, and subsequent trials and studies are set to kick-off in the near future.
“It was evident that technology in the EV space is constantly evolving and today’s vehicles have advanced from those tested in 2022,” the spokesperson said.
“WA Police Force is currently exploring future EV vehicle trial options, and are hoping to commence the next trial in the coming months.
“More information on our planned vehicle trials will be released once vehicle and location options are confirmed.”
The spokesperson wouldn’t be drawn into revealing what vehicles would be evaluated this time around, though we wouldn’t be surprised if the since-updated IONIQ 5 made a return, perhaps alongside its IONIQ 6 sedan sibling given it offers a superior range and better dynamics.
WAPOL did confirm that a trio of Hyundai ‘IONIQs’ – likely 5s – and one Tesla are currently on-fleet for “non-operational use”.
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