Unplugged Performance unveils a Model Y-based police vehicle

Ever wondered what the Tesla Model Y will look like as a police car? U.S.A-based electric vehicle upfitting firm Unplugged Performance clearly has, and has opted to build its very own Model Y-based police vehicle.

The electric patrol car makes its debut as the firm launches a new fleet division, UPfit. This patrol car marks the first public viewing of the division's contributions towards the next generation of police vehicles.

Unplugged Performance states that the use of an electric patrol car means communications equipment can remain operational without the need to idle a combustion engine

The firm states that the use of electric vehicles offers an ideal utilisation of tax dollars, as well as cleaner air and minimised maintenance downtime. This comes as police vehicles require a running engine to support onboard electronics as well as to maintain general readiness to respond at a moment's notice. This results in up to 60% of fuel consumed by police vehicles utilised during idling.

Electric vehicles offer the ability to power these electronics with minimal energy requirements, and officers will be able to utilise their communication equipment as well as the vehicle's climate control without running a combustion engine.

The converted patrol vehicle gets plastic seats alongside what looks like plexiglass shielding at the rear

Unplugged Performance and its new UPfit division states that it has an unprecedented 10 years of experience working with Tesla's vehicles, ensuring that the upfitting process is done safely, without compromising the reliability of the vehicle even with the heavy use associated with law enforcement.

The Tesla Model Y police vehicle you see in the pictures are said to be representative of the vehicles that will be delivered to South Pasadena, the first city in the U.S.A to replace its entire police fleet with electric vehicles.