“We have to go along with that too”: the police in Bavaria are banking on electric two-wheelers in the future
Created: 05/17/2022, 13:15
By: Felix Herz
The police in Bavaria should also be on the move on electric motorcycles in the future.
(Iconic image) © Christian Grube / IMAGO
Mobility in transition - also with the police in Bavaria.
In the future, electric motorcycles will be used there.
The e-motorcycle is particularly suitable in the city.
Nuremberg – The electric future, mobility in transition, the turnaround in traffic – the fact that more and more vehicles with electric drives are on German roads has many names.
The Bavarian police are also occasionally on the road electrically - but so far only on four wheels.
That should change now - in Nuremberg the police are currently testing the first uniformed pure electric motorcycle in Bavaria.
Bild
and the
Nürnberger Nachrichten
had previously
reported on it.
Tests in Nuremberg: e-mobility at the Bavarian police
The police are currently driving on the streets of Nuremberg with an e-motorcycle.
So far the experiences have been very positive.
Andreas Ponath, who is responsible for the fleet of the police headquarters in Central Franconia as the head of the operational technology department, sees the Bavarian police as having a responsibility in this regard: “Mobility is changing.
And we have to go along with it."
The electric motorcycle is ideally suited for use in urban areas, for example to accompany events or demonstrations, says Ponath.
For the organizers, the absence of rattling noises and exhaust fumes is pleasant.
But the police officers also benefit: the automatic transmission comes in handy, especially in the constant “stop-and-go”, thanks to which they don’t have to constantly use the clutch.
(By the way: Our Bayern newsletter informs you about all the important stories from Bavaria. Register here.)
Electric motorcycles in the Bavarian police: advantages and disadvantages
In addition to the obvious environmental aspect, e-motorcycles also have a very practical advantage: they have fewer parts and are therefore far less maintenance-intensive than their classic role models.
However, it also takes a few hours for the batteries to be fully charged - a disadvantage for the police, who depend on responsiveness.
The limited range of around 200 kilometers does not make the e-motorcycles suitable for the police for every operation.
"You won't be able to completely do without combustion engines," Ponath said.
The current motorcycles are machines from the US manufacturer Zero Motorcycles, which the police headquarters in Middle Franconia purchased and equipped with police foiling, radio, flashing lights and siren.
The model has 29 hp and is actually up to 200 kilometers per hour fast, but slower with the police conversions.
(By the way: Our Nuremberg newsletter regularly informs you about all the important stories from Middle Franconia and the Franconian metropolis. Register here.)
Bavaria: Police on e-motorcycles – Ministry of the Interior decides
The current test phase will last until the end of the summer holidays.
The Ministry of the Interior will then decide by the end of autumn whether additional electric motorcycles will be purchased for the Bavarian police.
As of now, there is a clear trend: "We are very open to electric motorcycles in the Bavarian police fleet, especially in inner-city areas," says the Ministry of the Interior.
The Bavarian police currently have ten uniformed and 44 civilian electric cars.
If more electric motorcycles are to be added, there would be a Europe-wide tender.
(
fhz
/
dpa
)
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