Canandaigua Police Test First Electric Patrol Vehicles

Department evaluates Ford Mustang Mach-E and Ford F-150 Lightning for law enforcement use.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 3:33am

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The Canandaigua Police Department has added two electric vehicles to its fleet for testing - a Ford Mustang Mach-E and a Ford F-150 Lightning. Police Chief Matthew Nielsen says the department is evaluating how the electric vehicles perform in different patrol duties compared to traditional gas-powered patrol cars.

Why it matters

As more automakers produce electric vehicles, police departments across the country are exploring their potential for law enforcement use. The Canandaigua Police Department's test of the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning will provide valuable insights on the viability of electric vehicles for police work.

The details

The Canandaigua Police Department plans to use the Mustang Mach-E for traffic enforcement due to its maneuverability, while the larger F-150 Lightning will be tested with the evidence and crime scene technicians' unit to evaluate its cargo capacity and power source capabilities. Chief Nielsen says there are still questions to be answered about the electric vehicles' range, charging needs, and overall performance compared to conventional patrol cars.

  • The Canandaigua Police Department announced it would be unveiling the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Ford F-150 Lightning electric vehicles on March 22, 2026.
  • The department plans to test the electric vehicles over the coming months to evaluate their suitability for law enforcement use.

The players

Matthew Nielsen

The police chief of the Canandaigua Police Department, overseeing the testing of the department's first electric patrol vehicles.

Canandaigua Police Department

A law enforcement agency in Canandaigua, New York that is evaluating the use of electric vehicles, including a Ford Mustang Mach-E and a Ford F-150 Lightning, for potential inclusion in its patrol fleet.

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What they’re saying

“Police work is pretty demanding, and there's a lot of unknowns with a type of vehicle like this.”

— Matthew Nielsen, Police Chief

“We're not certain how they'll function in this environment. If they work, it'll be a great test. If they don't work, it'll also be a great test, because we just showed that these cars are not conducive for law enforcement.”

— Matthew Nielsen, Police Chief

What’s next

The Canandaigua Police Department plans to continue testing the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Ford F-150 Lightning electric vehicles over the coming months to evaluate their performance and suitability for law enforcement use.

The takeaway

As electric vehicles become more prevalent, police departments like Canandaigua are proactively exploring their potential for patrol duties. The insights gained from this testing period will help inform whether electric vehicles can meet the demanding needs of law enforcement or if traditional gas-powered patrol cars remain the better fit.