Is the LAPD Swapping Out Gas for Electric?

Photo: Courtesy of Brammo

Sure, we want our police force outfitted with the latest in crime-prevention tech – the best Maglite, space aged handcuffs, designer shades.  But electric bikes?

According to the LA Daily News, the LAPD is considering trading in their Harley-Davidson’s and BMW’s for the light, eco-friendly Brammo Empulse LE.  Now, the LAPD claims the e-bikes wouldn’t actually replace anything, just supplement the current fleet of police cruisers. And sure, they might save money on gas and maintenance and noise pollution, but even with the Empulse’s aggressive lines, and black paint, an eBike still seems less…threatening than the traditional cruiser.

Plus, if you’re really serious about escaping, you just need to stay on the run until the electric bike’s battery fails (currently 120 miles at “optimal” usage, and about 56 miles in non-optimal conditions).

To be fair, going green is something that would be great for the city.  Anything that cuts down on the pollution has to count as a bonus.  But I’m not sure that the swift silence of an eBike can every really plant fear into the hearts of men.

What do you think? Let us know your thoughts on electric vehicles in the police fleet over on the forums.

Check out the Empulse in action in this video below:

Andreanna Ditton

Andreanna Ditton is the Editorial Director for the Internet Auto Communities and Auto Classifieds groups. She has worked as an editor, managing editor and moto-journalist for more than a decade covering the enthusiast space and the motorcycle space as Managing Editor of Motorcyclist Magazine. She has a passion for Ford Broncos, Shelby Cobras and tiny British sportscars that she's far too tall for.