[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW Loans i3 EV to Los Angeles Police Department

59
COMMENTS

Tweet

BMW Loans i3 EV to Los Angeles Police Department for Evaluation
BMW i3 evaluation is part of LAPD’s initiative to add 100 electric vehicles to its fleet

Los Angeles, CA – September 11, 2015 11:30am PDT/2:30pm EDT… BMW i today announced that it will loan the Los Angeles Police Department a BMW i3 electric vehicle for twelve months in the first US test of the innovative EV in an authority fleet. The BMW i3 test vehicle, which sports the famous LAPD black and white livery, complete with rooftop light-bar, will undergo a year of rigorous testing. It will also be featured at public events throughout the loan period.

“The decision by the Los Angeles Police Department to undertake this evaluation highlights the compelling nature of the BMW i3 as a versatile, sustainable vehicle,” noted Christine Fleischer, Manager – BMW i for BMW of North America. “By virtue of its innovative design and construction from leading-edge materials, the i3 is a brilliant fit with the technology-driven research philosophy of the LAPD. This will be a valuable learning experience for both BMW and the Department.”

The LAPD will benefit from the compact size and agility, thanks to the light-weight Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic construction of the BMW i3. The very tight turning circle of the i3 will make maneuvring around the streets of Los Angeles a breeze. The LAPD will have access to the large, conveniently located network of BMW i Centers, making servicing of an i3 fleet convenient and cost effective.

Watch for the “LAPD” BMW i3 on the streets and at events around Los Angeles over the coming months.

[Mr.SugarSkulls]

Mannnn, they ain't catching NO BODY in those!

[Cuz5150]

Wait wait wait........BMW can't sell them, so lets give them to the police?!?!
Awwww, that would make all the environmentalist out in Cali feel warm & fuzzy inside.
#petrolenginesmatter

[BimmerLover98]

Hopefully CHP gets them too so i just have to have enough gas to outlast them

[DS_BMW]

Maybe it has an i8 drivetrain.

[MI6]

In a similar move that echoes the LAPD's new "Green" movement the department has decided to replace their traditional firearms with eco- friendly water pistols
and Super Soaker assault guns.

So sleep well Angelinos, and know that your department gets great gas mileage and uses non abrasive and gentle water streams to keep crime at bay!

[dr.schmid]

top speed is 93 so you can safely escape in a civic.

kinda cool however...i guess. im from nj so municipalities down on the board walks at the jersey shore use smart cars and go karts, so i guess this would be a tad bit cooler.

[F80NJM3]

Gotta get rid of that inventory somehow..

[3s-a-charm]

They also got a Tesla P85D - no escaping that!

[KhalsaSF]

That's nice of BMW to do. In the Bay Area, I see i3's everywhere. According to one dealer here, the Bay Area is the largest i market bimmer has.

[BEMR]

Good choice to do this BMW, based on your last few years of sales, for some reason its obvious you know what your doing. Hard to downplay a winning company.

Bricklin tried this in the 70's with Phoenix PD, that didn't work, but then again it was a one model car company.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by BEMR

Good choice to do this BMW, based on your last few years of sales, for some reason its obvious you know what your doing. Hard to downplay a winning company.

Except that the i3 is $10K to expensive in the first place.

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by 3s-a-charm

They also got a Tesla P85D - no escaping that!

all you have to do is go over 100mph and p85 has no chance of keeping up LOL

[misterbeemer]

I pity the cop who has to drive in that thing. I doubt they'll use it to chase anyone but more drive around streets to issue parking citations for a couple hours before recharging.

I once inadvertently pointed and laughed at one of these monstrosities and didn't see the owner was inside. Oh well. I'd do it again.

[C5 FOR]

Has Sandra Bullock and Sylvestor Stallone started working for the LAPD?

[Murph335]

Tax money for bmw? Na $40k econobox no way. $15k Prius styling right there.

They are just in the RFI process sampling everything in the market today then probably buy the cheapest or nothing.

P85d is unlikely to be implemented, cool press though.

[Murph335]

Originally Posted by misterbeemer

I pity the cop who has to drive in that thing. I doubt they'll use it to chase anyone but more drive around streets to issue parking citations for a couple hours before recharging.

I once inadvertently pointed and laughed at one of these monstrosities and didn't see the owner was inside. Oh well. I'd do it again.

Lol!: :

[Alpine F31]

It's not THAT silly. The i3 is pretty quick off the line and up to 60mph.

[BEMR]

Originally Posted by Alpine F31

It's not THAT silly. The i3 is pretty quick off the line and up to 60mph.

All I can say I test drove the I3 months ago, and was absolutely amazed. Off the line, u turns, and stopping were unbelievable. Just test drive one your opinion will change.

It's a different animal that's for sure, but I'm not interested even if it were a Tesla.

[cmk227]

Originally Posted by Cuz5150

Wait wait wait........BMW can't sell them, so lets give them to the police?!?!
Awwww, that would make all the environmentalist out in Cali feel warm & fuzzy inside.
#petrolenginesmatter

This vehicle only use is to issue parking tickets. Anything else is a waste of taxpayer money.

[TiresOnFire]

Wouldn't the smarter move have been to give all the criminals I3 so the police can catch them on bicycles?

[Jeef]

Pretty sure this is only for the busy streets of LA so good luck even going 100 to out run them.