The Kemah Police Department in Texas has begun a 30-day trial using a Tesla Cybertruck to evaluate whether the all-electric pickup could function as a patrol vehicle. The pilot program, which started earlier this week, is part of the city’s broader green initiative aimed at reducing emissions and modernizing its municipal fleet.
During the trial, the department’s goal is not publicity, but practicality. Over the next month, officers will assess how the Cybertruck performs in day-to-day policing scenarios, including charging time, operational reliability, and overall suitability compared to traditional gasoline or hybrid patrol vehicles.
The Cybertruck being tested was not purchased with taxpayer funds. Instead, the vehicle and its custom police graphics were donated by Enterprise Leasing and G Wraps Signs and Graphix, a detail the department emphasized in its announcement. Tesla reportedly approached the city after learning about Kemah’s emissions-reduction goals and offered the opportunity to participate in the trial.
At this stage, no decision has been made about whether the department will retain the vehicle after the evaluation period ends.
While the trial has drawn attention locally, it has also sparked a wave of online commentary. Social media reactions ranged from curiosity to skepticism, with some users questioning how an electric truck would perform during pursuits, in flooding conditions, or under heavy daily use. Others argued that the Cybertruck’s distinctive design could make it more of a distraction than a deterrent.
Despite the criticism, Kemah is not the first police department to experiment with Tesla’s stainless-steel pickup. Earlier this year the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department unveiled the first fully operational Cybertruck patrol fleet, using donated vehicles for active duty. Other departments, including Irvine, California, have also deployed Cybertrucks for limited law-enforcement roles such as community outreach and special events.
