2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV With the Pursuit Pack Is Silent, Fast, and Ready for Action

The Chevrolet Blazer EV with the Police Pursuit Package is the latest all-electric offer for law enforcement in the US and Canada. Previously, modified Tesla Model Ys joined some departments' fleets. For example, the City of South Pasadena, California, chose the crossover and the Model 3 sedan to gradually replace its old gas-powered units.

But testing out the feasibility of EVs for pursuit and official law enforcement business started even earlier. Four years ago, officers working for the Fremont Police Department in California experimented with a Model S 85. Also in 2019, the Australian Police were trying out a Tesla Model X.

But there have been people speaking against EVs for Police. For example, the City of Spokane, Washington, rejected the Tesla Model Y because it was "too small." Those officers were thinking about the F-150 Lightning pickup truck instead.

But things have gotten a lot better EV-wise. There are more players in the space, legacy automakers are catching up, investments in the charging infrastructure continue, and we're looking at a major connector overhaul. Most automakers are ditching the CCS Combo 1 for the North American Charging Standard (NACS, soon to become SAE J3400), formerly the Tesla connector.

That will enable officers to charge easier and faster without worrying too much about the station's stall reliability. Superchargers are known for working better than what competitors currently offer.

Chevy's all-electric solution

But Chevrolet doesn't intend on letting Police departments in the US and Canada fill up their parking lots with Teslas, Rivians, and Fords. The "pursuit-rated" 2024 Blazer EV PPV is here and intends to be an ally for catching bad people.

GM says this EV has a certified speedometer, a heavy-duty suspension system, underbody skid plates, and 20-inch steel wheels that hide six-piston Brembo brake calipers.

One interesting tidbit is that the vehicle comes with parts made by third-party providers, which are not covered by Chevrolet's or General Motors' limited warranties.

The Blazer EV PPV has two electric motors that enable it to reach a maximum power output of 498 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque. To put this figure better into perspective, a V8-powered 2024 BMW X5 M60i that needs pricey gas puts out 530 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque.

GM's Ultium platform allows this Chevrolet to pride itself on a nearly 50-50 weight distribution. Combine that with a low center of gravity for a high-riding vehicle, and the zero-tailpipe emission Blazer seems ideal for Police work. Even better, it's cheaper to charge than to buy gas!

But none of these features and numbers matter if the Police can't drive very far on a full charge. Thankfully, the Blazer EV PPV has a 105-kWh battery pack. GM measured the total possible range with all the Police equipment included, and the result was 250 miles. That's a little low compared to a "pursuit-ready" Tesla Model Y and its 300 miles of range on a full battery.

Well-equipped for the job

Chevrolet prepared many features for the Blazer EV PPV. Here are the standard ones:

• Remote start;
• Remote keyless entry;
• Contactless start/stop system (pressing the brake pedal wakes up the Blazer EV PPV);
• Special cloth seats to accommodate duty belts;
• Vinyl flooring and steering wheel;
• Center console delete for the 9C1 trim (whereas the 9C3 is more like the regular vehicle);
• Digital rearview camera mirror;
• An eight-inch infotainment screen that also displays what the backup camera sees;
• Manual liftgate with heavy-duty struts;
• 240V Level 2 charger;
• 80-amp charging that adds around 52 miles of range per hour;
• DC fast charging at a maximum of 190 kW, which adds 71 miles of range in 10 minutes;
• Controller Area Network (CAN) module with 10 switchable inputs and outputs (enabling heavy-duty vehicles from more brands to standardize their communication language);
• Two 20-amp relays and a 30-circuit harness;
• Front and cargo electrical wiring for various accessories;
• The option to turn off all the lights for covert operations;
• Other features that are helpful to upfitters.

The battery-electric crossover SUV will also boast multi-leveled one-pedal driving. That feature will allow police officers to use the brakes less, which translates into a smaller carbon footprint. Brake dust is a known pollutant that can cause respiratory problems for humans or even worse health conditions after prolonged exposure.

Another great advantage of this system is that the motors working to stop the vehicle harness the kinetic energy, transform it into electricity, and put it back into the battery.

Chevrolet didn't specify if the Blazer EV PPV will come as standard with a CCS Combo 1 or NACS connector. But the deal GM struck with Tesla says the new inlet will be found on the legacy automaker's vehicles from 2025 onwards. Organizations that order the 2024 model year unit may need an adapter to charge at a Supercharger.

Moreover, nobody can steal this all-electric mid-size crossover SUV when the officer begins the pursuit on foot and leaves a door open. The Blazer EV stays on but will not engage any gear without the remote being nearby. That's a useful feature, especially for K-9 units.

Police officers using this Chevy must watch out where they go because the EV doesn't come with a spare tire.

But probably the best thing about an all-electric Police vehicle is that it will not burn fossil fuels while stationary. Idling four hours during a shift is common with law enforcement, especially when they have a dog with them on the field. One hour of idling usually equals one mile of driving, but the Blazer EV PPV can stay on for up to 50 hours without releasing any emissions on a full battery.

Finally, the price has yet to be disclosed. But we know that the entry-level Blazer EV for civilians has a starting cost of $56,715 for the all-wheel-drive 2LT trim.