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Ford Mustang Mach-E passes Michigan State Police standards, fleet inclusion to be determined

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. Graphics on vehicle not available for sale. (Credit: Ford)

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3 years ago

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The Ford Mustang Mach-E all-electric vehicle became the first EV to pass the rigorous testing standards set by the Michigan State Police to have a vehicle be considered for inclusion in its fleet. Earlier today, Ford announced that the Mach-E performed to these standards, and Teslarati did some deeper digging to determine whether the MSP would have its first EV later this year.

Ford announced earlier today that the Mustang Mach-E had passed the rigorous MSP testing evaluation for the 2022 model year. Utilizing the pseudonym “Ford Pro,” the all-electric pilot vehicle that Ford brought to Grattan Raceway in Belding, Michigan, was “based on the 2021 Mustang Mach-E SUV.” Ford stated that the assessment included challenging subcategories of acceleration, top speed, braking, and high-speed pursuit tests, as well as emergency response handling characteristics.

The subcategories are broken down as follows:

Acceleration and Top Speed Testing:

“Acceleration: To determine the ability of each test vehicle to accelerate from a standing start to 60 mph, 80 mph, 100 mph, and determine the distance to reach 100 mph and 120 mph.”

“Top Speed: To verify the electronically limited top speed reported by the manufacturer attainable by each test vehicle within 14 miles from a standing start.”

Brake Testing:

“To determine the deceleration rate attained by each test vehicle on twenty 60-0 mph full Anti-lock brake stops. Each vehicle is scored on the average deceleration rate it achieves.”

Emergency Response Handling:

“Rate each test vehicle’s ability to: 1. Provide a suitable environment for the patrol officer in the performance of his/her assigned tasks. 2. Accommodate the required communications and emergency warning equipment and assess the relative difficulty of such installations.”

Testing Process

The tests are not evaluated by the MSP directly, a spokesperson for the law enforcement agency told us. Instead, manufacturers can assess their vehicles at tracks and courses of their choice. While there is not a pass or fail rating given to any vehicle that attempts to complete the Police Vehicle Evaluation for inclusion in the MSP fleet, the agency outlines in-house performance standards that have been used as a benchmark for determining whether their vehicle meets “a pursuit-rated qualification.”

“The Ford Mach-E met all of our standards in the testing, which allows Ford to say the vehicle met the benchmarks accepted within the industry as being pursuit-rated,” MSP Public Affairs Manager Shanon Banner told Teslarati.

The report for preliminary results of prospective vehicles is set to be released next week, with the full report being released by October, Banner told us. Previous years of testing are available here, but only combustion engine vehicles have been assessed before 2021.

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. Graphics on vehicle not available for sale. (Credit: Ford)

EV Police Cruisers: The Future of Law Enforcement

Electric police cruisers are becoming a more popular option for police departments across the world. Instead of spending money on high-performance gas-powered automobiles, more departments are realizing the financial and environmental advantages of purchasing an electric car instead of one with an internal combustion engine. The most notable example of cost savings was displayed in a recent report released by the Westport, Connecticut Police Department.

The Mach-E is also close to gaining one of its first inclusions in a Police Force in Europe. Recently, British Police Forces started examining the advantages of adding electric cars to their fleets. The Mach-E is their prime candidate for the newest member of their fleet. Two Mach-Es have already been included in the Ann Arbor Police Department in Michigan.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with tips! Email us at tips@teslarati.com, or you can email me directly at joey@teslarati.com.

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Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on Twitter @KlenderJoey.

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Tesla owner highlights underrated benefit of FSD Supervised

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1 month ago

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January 31, 2025

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Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk has been pretty open about the idea of FSD being the difference maker for Tesla’s future.

If Tesla succeeds in achieving FSD, it could become the world’s most valuable company. If it doesn’t, then the company would not be able to reach its optimum potential.

FSD Supervised’s safety benefits:

  • But even if FSD is still not perfect today, FSD Supervised is already making a difference on the roads today.
  • This was highlighted in Tesla’s Q4 2024 Vehicle Safety Report.
  • As per Tesla, it recorded one crash for every 5.94 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology.
  • For comparison, the most recent data available from the NHTSA and FHWA (from 2023) showed that there was one automobile crash every 702,000 miles in the United States. 

FSD user’s tale:

  • As per an FSD user’s post on social media platform X, FSD Supervised was able to help him drive a relative to a medical facility safely even if he was exhausted.
  • During the trip, the driver only had to monitor FSD Supervised’s performance to make sure the Tesla operated safely.
  • In a vehicle without FSD, such a trip with an exhausted driver would have been quite dangerous. 
  • “This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
  • “The convenience of sending the hospital’s address directly from my iPhone to my Tesla while still inside my house, then just a single button press once inside, and 40 miles later we were precisely in front of the hospital’s admissions area.This experience really underscores just how transformative this technology can be for society,” Tesla owner JC Christopher noted in his post.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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Tesla Optimus “stars” in incredible fanmade action short film

Published

2 months ago

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January 14, 2025

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Credit: @SoKrispyMedia/YouTube

There are few things that prove an enthusiast’s love towards a company more than a dedicated short film. This was highlighted recently when YouTube’s SoKrispyMedia posted a 10-minute action movie starring Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, as well as several of the company’s most iconic products. 

The video: 

  • Shot like a Hollywood action flick, the video featured a rather humorous plot involving a group of thieves that mistakenly targeted a Tesla Model 3 driver. 
  • The Model 3 driver then ended up speaking to Tesla for assistance, and some high-octane and high-speed hijinks ensued.
  • While the short film featured several Tesla products like the Model 3, Superchargers, and the Cybertruck, it is Optimus that truly stole the show.
  • Optimus served several roles in the short film, from an assistant in a Tesla office to a “robocop” enforcer that helped out the Model 3 driver.

Cool inside jokes: 

  • The best Tesla videos are those that show an in-depth knowledge of the company, and SoKrispyMedia definitely had it. 
  • From the opening scenes alone, the video immediately poked fun at TSLA traders, the large number of gray Tesla owners, and the fact that many still do not understand Superchargers.
  • The video even poked fun at Tesla’s software updates, as well as how some Tesla drivers use Autopilot or other features without reading the fine print in the company’s release notes.
  • The video ended with a tour de force of references to Elon Musk products, from the Tesla Cybertruck to the Boring Company Not-a-Flamethrower, which was released back in 2018.

Check out SoKrispyMedia’s Tesla action short film in the video below.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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Tesla releases Cybertruck metal key card—because why not?

Published

2 months ago

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December 31, 2024

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Credit: Tesla Shop

Tesla definitely seems to be determined to release the coolest lineup of accessories for its coolest vehicle. As could be seen in an update to the Tesla Shop, the electric vehicle maker has now launched a metal key card for the Cybertruck—because why not?

Cybertruck keys:

  • The Cybertruck, similar to Tesla’s other vehicles, is shipped with a regular key card. 
  • The vehicle could also be accessed and locked through a phone key. 
  • As per the Cybertruck’s Owner’s Manual, the all-electric pickup truck is capable of supporting a total of 19 keys.

The Cybertruck’s Metal Key Card:

  • Tesla’s Cybertruck Metal Key Card functions much like the vehicle’s regular key card, but it is finished using premium stainless steel
  • As per Tesla’s description of the item: 
  • “Convenient, durable, versatile. The Cybertruck Metal Key Card is a premium stainless-steel alternative to our traditional plastic key cards, making it easy to access your Cybertruck without your Phone Key. Ideal for when your phone is unavailable or when sharing your vehicle with a friend or valet.”
  • The Cybertruck Metal Key Card costs $60.
  • In comparison, the Cybertruck’s regular key card is sold for $40.
  • The Cybertruck Metal Key Card comes with the metal key card itself, as well as a bifold key card wallet.

Tesla Cybertruck merch push:

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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