In the new Chevy EV reveal, GM dropped a tantalizing tidbit. The new EV Blazer comes as a front-wheel drive SUV, an all-wheel drive SUV and, for some special orders, an r. But you can only get a rear-wheel drive Blazer EV if you’re in law enforcement. The question arises: why do regular people prefer front or all-wheel drive, while the cops want rear-wheel drive?
The EV Blazer is rear-wheel drive only for cops
Why do the police prefer rear wheel drive? Well, it depends on several factors. Second, it’s not officers who prefer rear-wheel drive as much as budget-conscious fleet managers. Rear-wheel drive vehicles are simply easier to maintain, also have better range, and are usually more durable over the long haul. That’s why Dodge Chargers, old Crown Victorias and even old-fashioned Caprices are still used.
it is rear wheel drive.
Even cops prefer SUVs
But now, as in the rest of the country, it seems that the police car is no longer the preferred vehicle. According to , a site devoted to policing, 75% of officers now prefer police SUVs to police cars. They like SUVs for the same reasons that the rest of us like them: to have more space and to hold more stuff.
Today’s cars have more radios, computers and all kinds of equipment. SUVs hold that stuff better than a car. Also, like all of us, the policemen also like the raised seating position, the higher ground clearance and, in some situations, the all-wheel drive. The rear-wheel drive setup could be ideal for departments looking to transition to electric vehicle policing.
The police truck is also gaining favor
Ford, Chevy, and Ram police trucks are all four-door, four-wheel drive trucks that don’t look much different than the trucks you and I can buy. But they are.
Each of these trucks also comes with suspension upgrades, special tires and unique upgrades designed for the police service. They’re also designed for “outfitters” or third-party companies that add police-specific gadgets to trucks, such as push bars, lights, and prisoner dividers. Each has specific guides to help bodybuilders find a plethora of electrical connectors that are special to these trucks’ high-output alternators.
Chevy and Ford trucks are also “pursuit rated.” According to the Policing Institute, a “pursuit rated” vehicle is: “A vehicle designed by the manufacturer to be used in a police pursuit. Vehicles rated for pursuit, or police package, have heavier chassis, suspension, steering, braking, and tires, and are designed to be used in a high-speed pursuit situation.
And, of the police trucks, just one FYI: The Ford F-150 Police Responder is the fastest of the bunch.
