Danish police are moving forward with plans to add electric vehicles to their patrol fleet despite challenges including motion sickness among officers, lower top speeds, and higher costs. After testing 10 electric VW ID.4 GTX vehicles across four police districts since 2023, the National Police concluded that most patrol duties can be handled by EVs, even though the evaluation revealed several significant drawbacks.
A Green Shift for Law Enforcement
The National Police have decided to embrace electric vehicles as part of Denmark’s green transition. Following a multi-year trial period, the force is ready to replace some of its gasoline and diesel patrol cars with electric alternatives.
According to Torben Kjærgaard, section leader at the National Police’s fleet and equipment management center, the vast majority of police driving can be handled equally well by electric patrol cars. This represents a positive finding from the extensive testing program that distributed 10 vehicles across different police districts.
Despite this optimistic outlook, the evaluation of the electric vehicles revealed several concerning issues that the police force will need to address as they expand their EV fleet.
Motion Sickness Becomes Unexpected Problem
One of the most surprising findings from the trial was that officers experienced motion sickness while driving the electric patrol cars. This issue affected all police districts that participated in the testing program, occurring both during emergency response driving and regular patrols.
The National Police acknowledged they had not anticipated this problem. In fact, researchers are now being brought in to help find solutions, though no concrete plan has been established yet. The organization maintains that officers can adapt their driving approach to complete their tasks, but questions remain about whether officers will be fully effective when they arrive at emergency situations.
Range and Performance Concerns
The evaluation showed that electric patrol cars typically drive significantly shorter distances than their battery capacity allows. In Copenhagen, an electric patrol car averaged just 63.2 kilometers per day, while vehicles in the country’s largest police district, Central and West Jutland, reached 147.2 kilometers daily.
However, concerns extend beyond simple range anxiety. The electric vehicles have lower top speeds compared to their gasoline and diesel counterparts. In one specific example from Central and West Jutland Police, the National Police calculated that an electric vehicle would have arrived slower at an emergency than a traditional patrol car.
Silkeborg Station’s Real-World Experience
At the Silkeborg local police station, the electric vehicle has become the last choice for officers heading out on patrol. Kenn Sølvkær Jensen, leader of patrol services at Silkeborg Police, explained that the vehicle simply cannot match the performance of their regular patrol cars.
The battery presents a significant challenge given the distances covered in Central and West Jutland. Before taking the electric car into regular service, officers tested it at Jyllandsringen racing circuit. The results were not impressive. The range decreased rapidly, and the top speed proved insufficient for potential pursuits.
Officers noticed the brakes became hot and the battery drained quickly under demanding driving conditions. While the station has not actually run out of charge, the concern is about being prepared for all possible situations that might arise during patrol duties.
Interestingly, the Silkeborg station took over the vehicle from the Viborg local station, where several officers had experienced motion sickness. This has not been as significant an issue in Silkeborg.
What Officers Think of Electric Patrol Cars
The National Police compared the VW ID.4 GTX electric vehicles with the standard VW Passat 2.0 TDI diesel patrol cars. Officers provided detailed feedback about their experiences with the new vehicles.
Positive Observations
Officers appreciated several aspects of the electric patrol cars. The high seating position was comfortable, and the vehicles proved pleasant to drive at moderate speeds. They performed well for urban patrol work, with particularly good acceleration times compared to fossil fuel patrol cars. The handling characteristics were described as safe and predictable, with braking performance comparable to traditional patrol vehicles.
Negative Findings
However, the list of drawbacks was substantial. Visibility from the cabin could be improved, and the climate control system seemed somewhat weak. Officers found the vehicles felt heavy to drive, and cargo space was limited. Beyond the motion sickness issue, the vehicles simply did not match the performance needs for high-speed responses or pursuits.
Higher Costs Despite Fuel Savings
Financial analysis revealed another challenge for the electric vehicle program. The estimated cost over a five-year period is actually higher for electric patrol cars compared to diesel-powered vehicles. The difference ranges from 30,000 to 112,000 Danish kroner depending on the police district.
This cost difference stems from higher acquisition prices for electric vehicles. While there are fuel savings, these vary significantly by location. The savings are greater in Central and West Jutland than in Copenhagen, which accounts for the cost range between districts.
Despite these higher overall costs and the various operational challenges, the National Police remain committed to moving forward with electric vehicles. Torben Kjærgaard emphasized that diesel and gasoline patrol cars will continue to be used, with electric vehicles serving as a supplement initially.
Future Plans Remain Flexible
The National Police have not yet determined how many vehicles in their fleet will eventually become electric. The organization acknowledges that situations will always exist where diesel patrol cars perform better, just as there are scenarios where electric vehicles have advantages.
When pressed about where electric vehicles actually perform better, Kjærgaard pointed primarily to acceleration. Nevertheless, the force believes they can contribute meaningfully to Denmark’s green transition through this gradual electrification of their patrol fleet.
As the program develops, the police will continue monitoring technological advances and gathering operational experience. The balance between environmental goals and operational effectiveness remains a work in progress for Danish law enforcement.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Ferries in Denmark Plug into the Future with Electricity
The Danish Dream: Best EV Charging Providers in Denmark for Foreigners
DR: Nu vil politiet med på vognen: Bilerne skal på el, selvom betjente bliver køresyge
