Electric police cars are not new. The first police car in the United States ran entirely on batteries. In 1899, the Collins Buggy Company built an electric vehicle for Akron, Ohio’s police. It wasn’t a speed machine. It had two 4-horsepower motors and weighed about 5,000 pounds. Its top speed was just 18 mph.
Speed was not the goal. The vehicle held a full team of officers, which led to the term “squad car.” It mainly transported suspects from crime scenes to the Akron jail. Its first job was picking up a drunken troublemaker at Main and Exchange streets.
Before gas engines took over, electric police vehicles quietly patrolled American streets. They showed how electric drive can be smooth and reliable. This early use proves EVs were practical well before the modern tech boom.
The 1899 electric squad car focused on efficient transport and making policing easier. This early example helped pave the way for today’s police EVs, where quiet motors and instant torque serve many roles—from city cruising to high-speed chases.
As electric vehicles grow faster and more capable, police departments are paying attention. The story of Akron’s first electric squad car shows how the future can connect back with the past.
Electric police cars have come full circle. What was once a slow-moving vehicle for basic transport has evolved into a powerful tool for law enforcement. This history shows that EVs have always played a role in policing and will continue to do so.
