The LAPD is Going Eco-Luxe & Adding 100 BMW i3s to Its Fleet

Photo Credit: Danny Moloshok

The Los Angeles Police Department is going to have some of the hottest rides in North America now that its transportation fleet will include 100 brand-new fully electric BMW i3s.

This announcement comes on the heels of a field trial during which a BMW i3 was evaluated alongside other EVs on the streets of Los Angeles as part of the LAPD’s every day fleet. Ultimately, the BMW i3 was selected due to a combination of EPA rated best-in-class efficiency, reliability and state-of-the-art ConnectedDrive services, which can be used to support fleet management applications.

“We should be thinking green in everything we do — and these new EVs show how local government can lead,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Our sustainability plan pushes L.A. to speed adoption of greener practices and technologies, which also save money and resources.”

Added Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO of BMW of North America, in a statement, “The attributes of the BMW i3 position it to excel as the ideal vehicle for municipal organizations. The performance and technical capabilities, such as the BMW i3 ‘s acceleration, and its ConnectedDrive integration, are perfectly suited to transform the future mobility of the Los Angeles Police Department while also reducing their carbon footprint.”

Photo Credit: Danny Moloshok

The BMW i3 police cars began hitting the streets of Los Angeles this spring badged with an LAPD insignia. As the department’s non-emergency fleet vehicles, the BMW i3s will be used throughout the department as transportation vehicles for officers and in community outreach initiatives.

BMW’s software data system will integrate with the LAPD’s fleet management system which will allow the department to electronically receive critical vehicle data needed to effectively maintain their fleet. BMW is also designing a web tool that will allow the department to track their fleet in near real-time, contributing to improved deployment, utilization, and the efficient charging of their fleet of BMW i3s.

Greenlots, a global provider of open standards-based distributed energy resource solutions, will supply 100 Level 2 chargers and four DC fast chargers to LAPD.

Due in large part to its compact size and use of light-weight Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) in its construction, the sustainable, fully-electric BMW i3 has a tight turning radius and the agility needed to navigating congested city streets (and the horrific, always painful to navigate 405).