This electric concept-car for German police shows it’s possible to give battery-powered vehicles some extra zip.
Cue jokes about police needing a long extension cord in case their shiny new electric car gets into a pursuit.
However, for now – despite wearing police stripes and lights – this example is simply a motor show tease, to provide an insight into what the future might hold.
An electric BMW i4 M50 police car has been built by German tuning firm AC Schnitzer to showcase a range of modifications.
As part of this year’s Essen motor show in Germany, AC Schnitzer – the company famous for creating wheels, suspension, and body-kits for BMW models – modified a BMW i4 M50, complete with German police livery, for the ‘Tune it! Safe!’ program.
In Germany, non-standard parts are only road legal if they have received government ‘TÜV’ certification.
The campaign is designed to encourage motorists to use TÜV-approved parts, with the promotional police car fitted with lowered springs, 20-inch alloy wheels, aluminium pedal covers, refreshed interior highlights, and a body-kit – all created by AC Schnitzer.
While the BMW i4 isn’t about to join the German police fleet just yet, authorities around the world have begun testing electric vehicles for their suitability – including in Australia.
In November 2022, Queensland Police announced it would begin transitioning to hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2025, with a plan to move into a fully electrified fleet – where possible – by the end of the decade.
