California’s push to mandate that all new cars produce zero tailpipe emissions by 2035 doesn’t just include privately owned vehicles. Instead, the initiative also includes the state’s government and police departments. Unfortunately, but perhaps understandably, officers are hesitant and even angry with Tesla police cars.

Police departments in California are finding their Tesla patrol vehicles to be ‘nearly unusable’ and ‘not equipped’

Silent, torquey propulsion. Zero tailpipe emissions. You’d think that a Tesla in police livery would be a good thing, right? Well, many law enforcement officers (LEOs) in California and less than stoked to tackle their shifts in the brand’s battery electric vehicles (BEVs). 

SFGate interviewed three police chiefs from Northern California police departments. The result? Well, law enforcement agencies agree on several insufficiencies that keep the Teslas from being effective patrol cars. For starters, the popular choice, the Tesla Model 3, is simply “too small” for crime-fighting. Let’s get into it.

Although the Model 3 is billed as a four-door sedan with seating for up to five, Chief Cedric Crook of the Ukiah Police Department says it’s simply too small. Specifically, the Model 3 may “only have room for one prisoner.” Crook claims the Model 3’s size limitations may make it unable to deal with the necessities of multiple suspects. Moreover, the vehicle’s small stature relative to say, a Dodge Charger, makes getting in and out difficult for officers wearing duty belts. 

Chief David Norris and the police officers of Menlo Park agreed with the cramped cabin complaints. Even in the larger Model Y, Chief Norris pointed out that the front seating dimensions are “nearly unusable” for officers in duty belts and body armor. Sure, the conclusion invites a multitude of jokes– but it points to an insufficient platform for law enforcement.

Of course, agencies could opt for more spacious EVs. However, even with charging technology advancing year-over-year, charging is impractical for law enforcement. For instance, Chief Crook posits that detectives and other officers will have to babysit perps at charging stations. After complaints of tactical issues, space constraints, and other headaches, Crook is “not ready to put an officer in a Tesla.”

So what about EV pickup trucks? Well, Chief Neil Cervenka of Fort Bragg, California fielded Ford F-150 Lightning trucks for the department. Fortunately, the electrified F-150 avoids many of the Tesla’s issues with space, cargo capacities, and off-road capabilities. However, with a maximum range of 320 miles, officers will still have to contend with charging times and range issues.