Can a Tesla Replace a Police Tahoe? One Texas Department Is About to Find Out

Tesla has been having a tough time in the US, with sales continuing to decline. While EV interest has slowed across the US, one Texas police department is still willing to test the idea in the real world. The Murphy Police Department is adding two patrol-ready Tesla Model Y Juniper units to its fleet, converted by UP.FIT. Over the next year, the department will evaluate whether these compact electric SUVs can realistically replace existing patrol vehicles like the Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Tahoe from both an operational and financial perspective.

Why Murphy PD Is Betting On Electric Patrol Cars

The idea started when Lieutenant McCarty pitched the concept to the chief of police before taking it to the city council. After researching options, the Model Y Juniper emerged as a viable candidate, partly because of its promising lower maintenance and fuel costs. Safety also played a role in the discussion, although the topic remains complicated. Several lawsuits related to failing door handles in Tesla vehicles have kept scrutiny high, fatal Autopilot crashes are not unheard of, and Germany’s TÜV Report 2026 found that one in six Model Ys failed serious safety inspections. Still, the department believes a controlled trial will provide clearer answers.

Patrol-Ready Model Y Costs The Same As A Tahoe

Surprisingly, the Model Y patrol builds come in at roughly the same cost as a typical Tahoe-based police vehicle. These Model Ys are far from standard crossovers. UP.FIT, a branch of Unplugged Performance that modifies Teslas for government fleets, fitted them with a full suite of police hardware. That includes a light bar, emergency lighting, sirens, PA systems, suspension revisions, forged aluminum wheels, upgraded brakes, and even ventilated seats for long shifts. Inside, there is a half-cage for mounting weapons and shields, along with a full prisoner cage and numerous dash cameras.

A Future With Tesla and The Police

Putting whatever bias you have regarding EVs and Musk aside, from a practical standpoint, EVs make sense for city patrol work. Police vehicles often idle for long periods and operate within limited distances rather than covering highway-level mileage. If Murphy’s trial proves successful, expansion is possible. Tesla’s recently introduced $59,990 dual-motor AWD Cybertruck could also become a candidate. But we can't ignore the coincidence: Murphy PD adopting an all-electric patrol fleet – RoboCop, anyone?

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