The first fully electric vehicles have been added to the Queensland Police Service’s arsenal, with a trial of electric highway-patrol cars coming to Logan.
Logan will receive a yellow hi-vis Kia EV6 GTLine for a 12-month trial period to test the impact of climate, high-intensity driving and the performance and range of the car.
QPS commissioner Katrina Carroll said the design of the vehicles was a “throwback” to the highway patrol fleet used in the 1980s, which were also yellow.
“The new ones are certainly a lot more efficient,” Ms Carroll said.
According to QPS acting assistant commissioner Matthew Vanderbyl, the yellow fleet in the 80s received a lot of attention.
“We want to turn heads and draw people’s attention to this vehicle to remind them that road safety is absolutely critical.”
He said it was “inevitable” every police car would become electric in the future with more than 70 per cent of the current sedan and SUV police fleet hybrid.
Despite a bright yellow exterior, the new fleet are maroon on the inside, a tribute to Queensland.
The unveiling of the vehicles was made last Wednesday ahead of the second State of Origin game.
The first electric car was used to escort the Queensland team from their hotel to the game.
