The Western Australian Police Force Checking two zero emission vehicles: Hyundai Ionic 5 Electric crossover, and Toyota Mirai Hydrogen-fuel cell sedan.
This trial – and promotional practice – is intended to demonstrate the potential for future frontline policing applications for these electric vehicles.
Both the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Toyota Mirai are equipped with WA police force branding, police radios, lights and sirens.
The Ioniq 5 police car will be trialled in areas such as Midland, Rockingham, Geraldton and Bunbari, where the Toyota Mirai will be used in the Fremantle district.
WA Assistant Commissioner of Police Alan Adams said the acquisition of the electrified vehicles was part of Western Australia’s climate policy, which outlines proposed government measures to shift to net-zero emissions.
Supply-limited Hyundai Ioniq 5 first arrived here in late 2021 and is currently sold in single- and dual-motor configurations.
Both use a 72.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack, offering single-motor rear-wheel drive 160kW of power and 350Nm of torque and dual-motor AWD 225kW and 605Nm.
The rear-wheel drive variant can do 0-100km / h sprint in 7.4 seconds, while the all-wheel drive model sprints in 5.2 seconds. Driving range ranges from 415km to 430km.
As previously detailed, Hyundai Australia is selling the Ioniq 5 directly to consumers, bypassing the wholesale sales phase in their franchise dealer network, due to tight supply.
Toyota Mirai, on the other hand, is currently only available for fleets and not for consumer purchases.
Although Hyundai, like all BEVs, runs on rechargeable batteries, the Mirai uses much less common hydrogen fuel-cell methods, especially fattened for heavy duty commercial applications.
It uses pressurized hydrogen (which can be made with renewable energy through electrolysis), and uses energy from chemical reactions when mixed with oxygen from the air. It rotates the motor with water (H2O) the only waste product.
The Toyota FCEV can hold up to 5.6kg of pressurized hydrogen in its three tanks and can be filled in five minutes, according to Toyota – faster than charging an EV – and covers about 650km per fill.
Power is powered by a single rear-mounted electric motor that produces approximately 134kW and 300Nm. Claimed 0-100km / h Dash time 9.2 seconds and maximum speed 175km / h.
The Mirai also has a 1.2kWh lithium-ion battery to store the energy produced by fuel cells and regenerative braking. Where FCEVs are falling is the current lack of hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Toyota Mirai both have five-star ANCAP safety ratings.
WA Minister of Police, Hon. Paul Papalia, calling the news “first for the nation”, added that the state government has a large vehicle fleet within the force.
Despite his claims, the New South Wales Police had earlier joined a Hyundai Kona Electric fleet as part of a 12-month trial and a Hyundai Nexo FCEV as part of a Queensland Police trial.
Most recently, WA police ordered 55 Skoda Superb wagons to help its vast highway network.
The suitability of Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Toyota Mirai as future police vehicles will be evaluated at the end of the trial.
More: Everything Hyundai Ioniq 5
More: Everything is Toyota Mirai