The Cybertruck could make a great police vehicle due to its acceleration, durability and efficiency
Oracle
Tesla's Cybertruck, now recognized as one of the most American-made vehicles, is catching the eye of law enforcement. This should not be a surprise considering some of the highlight videos of the vehicle during the delivery event. You have to admit RoboCop stepping out of a Cybertruck would look pretty natural.
Texas Police Department Considering the Cybertruck
Rosenberg, about two hours away from Giga, Texas, is considering upgrading their police vehicle fleet. The police department posted a picture of one of their vehicle beside a Cybertruck and wrote: What do you think @elonmusk… will the Cybertruck make an excellent police vehicle? It’s still hard to find new vehicles to replenish our older police units. Should we make the change in 2024? Of course, Musk responded with the 100% emoji.
Spotted out in the wild.
What do you think @elonmusk… will the #Cybertruck make a good police vehicle? It’s still hard to find new vehicles to replenish our older police units. Should we make the change in 2024? pic.twitter.com/WRlZWiSSK7
It’s already well documented that Cybertruck can withstand bullets and arrows, go faster than many top-end sports cars, and has offroad capabilities and lots of storage space. This stainless steel beast aligns perfectly with the demanding requirements of modern policing. Its adoption by police forces would be a forward-thinking move, signaling a shift towards more sustainable, efficient, and locally sourced equipment in law enforcement.
Transitioning to electric vehicles like the Cybertruck poses particular challenges for police departments, including initial costs. However, forces across North America have been adding Model Ys to their fleet, recognizing the long-term benefits - such as lower operational costs, reduced carbon footprint, and support for the American economy. Another snag in the plan would be the waiting list; it’s already over a million, and with production pegged at 200,000 to 250,000 a year, it will be long before police fleets can be turned over to Cybertrucks. It’s possible they can work around this with a special deal with Tesla for Foundation series trucks.
A Symbol of American Resilience and Innovation
Adopting the Cybertruck would be evidence of the technological advancements of American manufacturing and a significant morale booster, demonstrating faith in national capabilities and innovation. It represents a fusion of cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainable practices, showcasing a new direction in public service vehicle procurement.
Cybertruck’s Monroney sticker states that 65% of its components are US/Canadian-made. This puts Cybertruck far ahead of most other pickup trucks that may pop to mind as American-made products.
Company, Truck
US/Canada Parts
Honda, Ridgeline
70%
Tesla, Cybertruck
65%
Dodge, Ram 1500
61%
Toyota, Tundra
55%
Nissan, Titan
45%
GMC, Sierra
37%
Ford, F-150 (ICE)
32%
Chevy, Silverado
31%
Ford, F-150 (EV)
24%
This intense focus on domestic manufacturing is not just about creating superior vehicles but also about energizing the American economy and job market. Tesla's approach, emphasizing local sourcing and production, sets a new standard in the automotive sector, particularly for government and public service use.
The consideration of Tesla's Cybertruck by the Rosenberg Police Department and potentially other law enforcement agencies marks a pivotal moment in the integration of American manufacturing and public service. This move could set a trend for different departments, heralding a future where sustainability, performance, and national pride are critical factors in selecting vehicles for law enforcement.
After canceling the in-house wrap program for the Cybertruck last month, Tesla has reintroduced the program with a lot of changes. Let’s take a look at the original program, then we’ll dive into what’s changed.
Tesla began the wrap program for the Model 3 and Model Y in the fall of 2023. With the arrival of the Cybertruck, Tesla launched Matte Black and Satin White options for the Cybertruck and later added 11 more colors.
These are high-quality PPF (Paint Protection Film) wraps, which protect the paint in addition to changing the color of the vehicle. PPF is thicker, lasts longer, and is far superior to traditional vinyl wraps, but unfortunately, the service is only available if your vehicle is brand new.
When the program shuttered last month, many people were disappointed about the closing as it allowed owners to bundle the cost of the wrap service into the vehicle’s financing.
New Wrap Prices
First things first - the price of the wraps has dropped considerably, and Tesla does not appear to be using a different material - it is still PPF, not vinyl. These new prices are a lot more comparable to third-party offerings that normally use vinyl wraps.
Vehicle
Original Cost
New Cost
Cybertruck
$8,000
$4,500
Model 3 / Model Y
$6,500
$4,000
Tesla initially offered 11 wrap colors, but that selection has now been reduced to eight per vehicle. Interestingly, the color options vary by model—Model 3 and Model Y owners have their own distinct palette. The Cybertruck also boasts its own unique set of colors, though unfortunately, the popular Satin White option is absent from its catalog.
Of course, the ever-popular Matte Black is still available, along with a fairly unique set of other vivid colors.
New Locations
Not a Tesla App
When the wrap program launched, it was limited to just three locations in California and one location in Texas. That meant that unless you were taking delivery at West Covina, Oceanside, Costa Mesa, or Santa Clara, you’d be unable to get a first-party wrap done by Tesla.
Now, under the new program, Tesla is offering wraps out of all the original locations and adding Seattle, Washington. What initially seemed like Tesla scaling back its wrap service has turned out to be to them making it more affordable and efficient.
New Purchases Only
For now, the wrap offers are still constrained to new vehicle purchases—you won’t be able to have Tesla wrap a vehicle that’s already been delivered. Paint damage and scuffs can impact the installation of PPF and require additional time to smooth out the vehicle surface.
Either way, with cheaper wrap options, Tesla is now directly competing against third-party wrap shops when it comes to wrapping vehicles in PPF. While it’s still a bit more expensive than you’d find elsewhere, it also comes with a level of care and precision from technicians intimately familiar with your vehicle.
For the first time in quite a while, Tesla has increased the price of one of its vehicle offerings. The Model S Long Range and the Model S Plaid have both received a hefty price increase. However, not all is bad - as Tesla also added a new benefit for buyers.
Price Increase
The price increase for the Model S is $5,000 - currently only in the United States. This price increase will likely impact other markets, including Canada, in the coming days.
The Model S Long Range now starts at $79,990, while the Model S Plaid now starts at $94,990. The Model S and Model X now have the same starting price. Interestingly, that’s also the same pricing point for the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast Trimotor non-Foundation Series.
The vehicle configuration does not appear to have changed, so the new pricing is simply an increase rather than the addition or removal of features. Tesla previously cut the price of the Model S and Model X by 15% in 2023, so this could simply be an adjustment to ensure that the vehicle pricing stays in line with inflation and other factors.
Free Lifetime Supercharging
For those on the fence about ordering a Model S, Tesla has brought back Free Lifetime Supercharging when you order a new Model S on or after December 13, 2024. As always, Free Lifetime Supercharging is restricted to the buyer’s Tesla account and to that specific vehicle. It cannot be transferred to another vehicle or another owner after ownership transfer. It’s worth noting, that it also doesn’t exclude the owner from receiving Supercharger idle fees or congestion fees. There is currently no end date for this promotion.
There are currently no changes to the Model X, neither a price increase nor the addition of Lifetime Superchargering. However, when Tesla makes changes to one of their premium vehicles, it usually affects the other one as well. So be on the lookout for potential changes to the Model X offering in the coming days.
We’ve seen Tesla value Lifetime Supercharging at $5,000, so this falls in line with the price increase we’re seeing. It’s possible that Tesla will begin to bring back Lifetime Supercharging as a perk for buying into their more premium Model S and Model X cars, or this could be another temporary promotion to get buyers who are on the fence to go ahead and make their purchase while this promotion lasts.