Whether they're riding quietly through a crowd or along the trail systems of the National Mall, the United States Park Police (USPP) have embraced electric motorcycles to patrol in areas previously inaccessible by conventional cars and trucks.
Electric motorcycles can navigate roads, trail systems, and other areas where access is challenging for most conventional vehicles.
In 2019, the USPP acquired eight zero electric motorcycles, specially outfitted for law enforcement use. This made the USPP the first federal law enforcement agency to deploy fully electric motorcycles. The motorcycles, along with five electric vehicles and charging equipment, were donated to the National Park Service from the Department of Energy as part of an ongoing effort to "Green Our Rides". The motorcycles were strategically deployed in the Central District of Washington, D.C., which encompasses the National Mall, memorials, and monuments as well as other metropolitan properties.
Electric motorcycles are a crowd pleaser, and the USPP officers love using them.
Versatile Capabilities
The electric motorcycles have an all-electric range of approximately 180 miles, sufficient even for the occasional 18-hour shift. Several factors make these electric motorcycles an ideal solution for the USPP:
- They can navigate roads, trail systems, and other areas where access is challenging for most conventional vehicles.
- Their quiet operation makes them optimal for patrolling crowded events or approaching suspects discreetly.
- They incur low operating costs, with minimal maintenance needs.
- They are easy to charge overnight. The USPP typically uses a 120V charger, but they can also be charged on a Level 2 charging station with the J1772 standard protocol.
Operations Commander of the Central District Lieutenant Matthew Cooney says, "Electric motorcycles are a crowd pleaser, and the USPP officers love using them."
Challenges and Future Outlook
However, there are some challenges with electric motorcycles that Lieutenant Cooney hopes will be addressed once wider adoption takes place. These challenges include the initial purchase cost and the limited automotive shops with expertise to service electric motorcycles when maintenance or repairs are needed.
Currently, a portion of the USPP motorcycle fleet remains gas-powered, but the USPP is forward-thinking, with plans to phase in additional electric and hybrid vehicles as police rated options become more available.