The Toyota bZ4X, an all-electric vehicle, has made its debut in the U.K. as an emergency services vehicle, marking a significant milestone since its introduction. Joining the London parks police team, the bZ4X will play a crucial role as a response car for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, where it will be tasked with patrolling 28 parks, open spaces, and cemeteries. Additionally, the vehicle will be called upon for events like the Notting Hill Carnival.
Neil Broad, General Manager of Toyota One Fleet Services, expressed confidence in the bZ4X’s capabilities, stating, “With its high quality, versatility, and strong environmental credentials, we’re confident the bZ4X will prove its worth with the borough’s parks police and with many other public service fleet customers in the future.”
This new parks police patrol vehicle has been assigned to one of the busiest parks police detachments in London, emphasizing its practicality and functionality. The selection of the bZ4X was based on its all-wheel-drive powertrain, compact size suitable for navigating gateways and park routes, and its ability to accommodate the necessary equipment for the park police team.
Furthermore, the environmental advantages of the electric vehicle factored into its selection. Unlike the diesel vehicles previously used by the police force, the bZ4X’s lack of tailpipe emissions aligns with a greener approach in public parks.
Councillor Emma Will, the lead member for Parks and Leisure, highlighted the council’s commitment to sustainability, stating, “We are committed to becoming a greener borough and being net-zero as a Council by 2030, and the new car for Parks Police is another step in the right direction. All our vehicles in our parks are now electric, and we’re looking to expand our fleet elsewhere. Toyota has worked closely with our Parks Police team to ensure we got exactly what we needed.”
The Toyota bZ4X is equipped with a 71.4 kWh battery pack, offering a range of up to 255 miles (411 km) on the WLTP cycle. The electric vehicle features two electric motors delivering a combined 215 hp (160 kW/218 PS) to all four wheels, providing the necessary power and efficiency for its role in parks policing.
