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Menlo Park’s three Model Y Tesla patrol vehicles. Courtesy city of Menlo Park.

On Tuesday, Aug. 27, the Menlo Park City Council received an update on the Menlo Park Police Department’s Tesla pilot program, which aims to see whether Teslas, or other electric vehicles, could be used as patrol vehicles. 

Over the course of the program, police staff found that while “Teslas are useful within the department for patrol and non-patrol operations, (they) do not appear to be the ‘patrol cars of the future,’” due to officer safety concerns, lack of off-roading ability and limited space for gear, personnel and detainees. 

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Eleanor Raab joined The Almanac in 2024 as the Menlo Park and Atherton reporter. She grew up in Menlo Park, and previously worked in public affairs for a local government agency. Eleanor holds a bachelor’s...