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Chevrolet Blazer EV: Chasing Criminals with the Cop EV

GM is converting the Blazer EV into a police vehicle. The police Chevy is set to chase criminals with up to 557 hp (410 kW) and various technical highlights.

GM offers the Blazer EV as a police version starting in 2024. | Photo: GM
GM offers the Blazer EV as a police version starting in 2024. | Photo: GM
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Thomas Kanzler

 

The Blazer EV in a police version is based on the Blazer EV SS. Final specifications and range will be announced shortly before market launch. The police electric vehicle will be offered with specific police equipment, including skid plates, police-approved tires, steel wheels, and additional emergency equipment. It will even be available with a trailer hitch to tow a radar trailer, for instance.

The Blazer EV PPV is the first fully electric Chevrolet with a Pursuit-Rating in over 60 years. According to Chevrolet, the civilian version of the Chevy Blazer as an RS AWD will hit the American market this summer, followed by the RS RWD and 2LT AWD, which are expected to go into production in the fall. The newly introduced police version is not expected before the first quarter of 2024.

“Chevy’s commitment to the needs of law enforcement agencies is rooted in decades of collaboration with police departments across North America,” explains Ed Peper, U.S. Vice President of GM Fleet. “This custom-built, electrified Blazer EV PPV offers excellent pursuit performance, the reliability of a Chevrolet, and the fast-charging capability required for a high-performance patrol vehicle.”

Equipped for the chase

The design and engineering of the Blazer EV SS were developed to honor the legacy of the iconic Super Sport performance designation, explains Scott Bell, Vice President of Chevrolet. The model offers customers the most powerful experience in the lineup. The police Chevy can optionally be equipped with all-wheel drive and a power output of up to 557 hp and torque of up to 878 Nm. Additionally, the strongest Chevy features a unique WOW mode (Wide Open Watts) that should enable a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 4 seconds. On a Nascar track, the Blazer shows its potential.

“The 2024 Blazer EV sets a new tone for electric SUVs, with features and intuitive technologies that help Chevy take the lead in one of the fastest-growing EV segments," says Bell. "Together with the all-new Silverado EV and Equinox EV, which will hit the market next year, we are making great strides in providing more options for zero-emission vehicles - options that make switching to an EV easier than ever."

The Blazer EV PPV has a low center of gravity thanks to the approximately 544 kg battery pack. It is also equipped with Brembo brakes based on the high-performance Blazer EV SS, which are designed to provide superior braking performance.

Retrofitted for Police Use

Inside, the police-specific front seats are designed to accommodate safety belts and protective equipment. The steering wheel buttons can be used to operate police-specific emergency warning devices and police radios.

According to GM Fleet Chief Peper, the vehicle was prepared for police use right from its development. The wiring harnesses simplify the retrofitting of equipment, and a standard vehicle module can provide all the necessary signals for the communication of retrofit devices with the vehicle. Chevrolet uses the largest possible Ultium battery with 105 kW for the Blazer EV PPV to meet the power demands of a patrol car for law enforcement.

To better accommodate equipment, the Blazer EV PPV offers a larger cargo area in the rear. The underfloor of the "civilian" model was removed to make space for cabinets and shelves in the retrofit market. Additionally, it comes as standard with a special rearview mirror that provides officers with an extensive field of view behind the vehicle. This helps improve visibility, as most police vehicles are equipped with partition walls for detainees, cargo barriers, and vertical weapon mounts that can obstruct the rear view.

The police package 9C1 for the Blazer EV PPV includes a vinyl floor, a police-grade center console, and a vinyl rear seat as standard. The 9C3 Street Appearance package is also available and features carpeted flooring, the standard center console, and cloth rear seats.

"During the development of the Blazer EV, we spoke with many police departments in the US and Canada to learn how a fully electric PPV can be best utilized," explains Peper. "The interest is high, and we believe it can improve the work of police departments and their officers with their patrol vehicles."

What Does That Mean?

Other features include deactivatable rear door handles, keyless entry, and contactless ignition. Once the key fob is detected, the vehicle starts. If the key fob is removed, the vehicle switches to "protected idle," where it is powered and unlocked – ready for a quick pursuit.

In reality, many patrol cars spend a significant amount of their time idling, producing emissions from running a gasoline engine – this is where electrification makes double sense.

Translated automatically from German.
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