Don’t laugh at that Mustang Mach-E in your rearview mirror

Beware! This image might appear in your rearview mirror | Ford UK photos

As a car enthusiast, you might have been scornful when Ford announced it was putting the Mustang badge on its Mach-E sport utility vehicle. But should you see one approaching in your rearview mirror with flashing lights, be respectful — it might be a police car.

“To demonstrate that a vehicle with an electric powertrain can deliver strong performance and stand up to demanding police duty cycles, the company is submitting an all-electric police pilot vehicle based on the 2021 Mustang Mach-E SUV for testing as part of the Michigan State Police 2022 Model Year Police Evaluation on Sept. 18 and 20,” Ford announced. 

“Ford will use the pilot program testing as a benchmark while it continues to explore purpose-built electric police vehicles in the future,” the company added. “Law enforcement demand for all-electric vehicles is growing worldwide.”

To that later point, earlier this month Ford introduced a Mustang Mach-E police concept car in the UK and reports “police agencies lining up for a chance to try it out.”

While sharing no details about the unit being tested by the Michigan State Police, a test that sets a precedent for police departments across the country, Ford UK did a full news release on the British concept.

Ford has sent a prototype version of its Mustang Mach-E to the annual evaluation tests being conducted by the Michigan State Police | Ford photo

“Such has been the enthusiasm of the British police for Ford’s stunning new all-electric SUV that already seven forces have either tested the new vehicle or requested a full evaluation of a specially-built concept car,” the company announced.

“A full ‘blue light’ livery test car was built following many enquiries from UK police forces looking for greener solutions to the current products currently available to them.

“The Metropolitan Police Force has already appraised the standard Mustang Mach-E and has now requested a full evaluation of the marked concept. Also waiting for an opportunity to try the new 999 vehicle are the Sussex, Surrey, South Wales, Dyfed Powys, Devon & Cornwall and Police Scotland forces.”

Ford said the concept is based on the all-wheel-drive version of the Mustang Mach-E, and that it also is preparing an extended range version of both the rear-driven and AWD Mach-E for evaluation.

“Instant and super-quick acceleration – the new Mach-E is capable of 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds (GT version) and 111 mph – will be a useful weapon against crime for any police car, while the all-electric Mach-E will offer the forces one of the most economical and environmentally-friendly cars on their fleets,” Ford UK reports.

“The vehicle range (up to 379 miles) is uncompromized as the blue light equipment is being drawn from the vehicle’s 12V battery and not the drive battery,” noted Terry Adams, Blue Light Direct Sales Manager, Ford of Britain and Ireland.

“In future developments we will look to increase this battery capacity to allow for additional equipment to be fitted.”

Article courtesy of Classiccars.com