The Palo Alto Police Department has received its first patrol-ready Rivian R1S electric SUV for testing, marking the debut of the model as a U.S. police cruiser.
Assistant Chief James Reifschneider said the vehicle aligns with the city’s technology-focused approach. “This car works perfectly with a lot of the other technologies we use here in Palo Alto that I think separate us from other agencies,” he told local broadcaster KRON4.
The department’s R1S, finished in gloss black with white door panels and police insignia, was unveiled at a recent event at Rivian’s headquarters. The vehicle will be fitted with additional equipment, including a roof light bar and push bar, before entering active service.
Reifschneider noted that the R1S offers more cabin space than the Ford Explorers and Jeep Durangos currently used by the department, Palo Alto Online reported.
Mayor Ed Lauing praised Rivian during the unveiling, saying, “The electric car was created years before Rivian first shipped their EV, but Rivian wanted to be the best EV in the future, not the first EV of the past. That sounds a lot like Palo Alto to me.”
Other California police departments have also begun adopting electric vehicles. South Pasadena, for example, has switched its fleet to Tesla Model 3s and Model Ys, though some agencies have raised concerns about limited space in the Tesla models. The larger Rivian R1S, priced from $75,900, is expected to address some of those issues.