The Alpharetta, Georgia Police Department has pitched the idea of using Teslas as patrol and administrative vehicles. During a presentation to county council members, Major Trent Lindgren highlighted that Tesla’s electric vehicles could offer a cheaper, more affordable alternative to combustion-powered police cars.
Major Lindgren asked the council to consider a budget of $349,910.70 to purchase four Tesla Model Y units that are equipped for police use by Tesla tuner Unplugged Performance’s UP.FIT unit. The budget would be enough to cover the vehicles and the necessary charging infrastructure for the Model Y units. As per Lindgren, the Teslas would be used on a trial basis in patrol and administrative duties, as noted in an Appen Media report.
While a budget of $349,910.70 for four Tesla Model Y units may sound steep, Lindgren highlighted that the primary motivator for the police department’s Tesla pitch is cost. Before tax credits are applied, Tesla patrol units in the police department’s pitch would cost $80,744, while the vehicles that would be used for administrative duties would cost $59,722.
NEWS: The Alpharetta, Georgia police department has proposed buying @Tesla patrol, admin cars to provide the city’s police officers a cheaper, more efficient alternative.
The police gave a presentation to council members, asking them to consider the $349,910 purchase of four… pic.twitter.com/GXKdJ7Lleo— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) October 31, 2024
In comparison, Ford Explorer patrol vehicles cost $70,629.88, while Chevrolet Tahoe patrol vehicles cost $79,811.41. Lindgren, however, highlighted that a Tesla Model Y fleet would offer substantial savings in gas and maintenance. On average, gas-powered police vehicles have a lifetime of about 6-8 years or 110,000 miles. Officers can also spend up to 10 hours a day in their cars.
“At the end of the day, this is about being a good steward of the taxpayers’ money,” Lindgren noted.
-->If the city council does approve the Alpharetta PD’s Tesla pitch, the police department would use the four Model Y vehicles to analyze any savings and advantages offered by electric cars. Feedback from officers who use the vehicles would also be collected. Lindgren noted that the police department would then make a decision in a matter of years if electric vehicles could serve as good police cars.
The Alpharetta PD has about 70 gas vehicles in its patrol fleet. With this in mind, the four proposed Model Y police vehicles could very well become the first of many electric cars that the department may purchase in the future.
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Elon Musk
Elon Musk reiterates why Tesla will never make an electric motorcycle
Tesla CEO Elon Musk preemptively shut down speculations about a Tesla road bike once more.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk preemptively shut down speculations about a Tesla road bike once more, highlighting that the electric vehicle maker has no plans to enter the electric motorcycle market.
Musk posted his clarification in a post on X.
Musk’s reply to a fun AI video
X user @Moandbhr posted an AI video featuring the Tesla CEO on the social media platform, captioning it with “Mr. Elon Musk Just Revealed the Game-Changing Tesla Motorcycle.” The short clip depicted Musk approaching a sleek, single-wheeled vehicle, stepping onto it, and gliding off into the distance amid cheers. The fun video received a lot of traction on X, gaining 3.1 million views as of writing.
Musk replied to the post, stating that a Tesla motorcycle is not going to happen. “Never happening, as we can’t make motorcycles safe. For Community Notes, my near death experience was on a road bike. Dirt bikes are safe if you ride carefully, as you can’t be smashed by a truck,” Musk wrote in his reply.
Musk’s Past Comments on Two-Wheelers
Musk also detailed his reservations about motorcycles in a December 2019 X post while responding to questions about Tesla’s potential ATV. At the time, he responded positively to an electric ATV, though he also opposed the idea of a Tesla road-going motorcycle. Musk did state that electric dirt bikes might be cool, since they do not operate in areas where large vehicles like Class 8 trucks are present.
-->“Electric dirt bikes would be cool too. We won’t do road bikes, as too dangerous. I was hit by a truck & almost died on one when I was 17,” Musk wrote in his post.
Considering Musk’s comments about dirt bikes, however, perhaps Tesla would eventually offer a road bike as a recreational vehicle. Such a two-wheeler would be a good fit for the Cybertruck, as well as future products like the Robovan, which could be converted into an RV.
News
Tesla continues growing its Cybercab production team with new job listings
Both positions are based in Gigafactory Texas, the site of the Cybercab’s initial production.
Tesla continues to build out its workforce for the upcoming Cybercab, with two new job listings for quality inspectors for the autonomous two-seater being listed in the company’s official Careers website.
Both positions are based in Gigafactory Texas, the site of the Cybercab’s initial production.
New Cybercab listings
Tesla recently added openings for “Quality Inspector, Cybercab” and “Quality Inspector, Cybercab – Incoming Quality” on its Careers website. The roles involve detailed inspections of Cybercab components using precision tools such as calipers, micrometers, and gauges, among others. Candidates must also identify non-conformances, document findings in Tesla’s quality management system and collaborate with production teams to resolve issues swiftly.
Overall, these new Cybercab-related roles highlight Tesla’s emphasis on precision for the two-seater’s innovative features, such as its inductive charging setup, which is not available on any Tesla consumer vehicle today. If any, the Cybercab’s Quality Inspectors will likely be operating in uncharted territory as the vehicle is being produced using Tesla’s new Unboxed process. Elon Musk has also noted that the Cybercab’s production line will resemble a high-speed consumer electronics line instead of a conventional automotive line.
Recent Cybercab Design Evolutions
Since its October 2024 unveiling, the Cybercab has undergone several refinements visible in recent prototypes, enhancing aerodynamics and manufacturability ahead of production. The tail design now rises slightly for better airflow, with a shortened rear body panel and repositioned red reflectors farther from the wheel arches.
-->Front-end updates include segmented daytime running lights, actual turn signals and a sharper splitter, while side repeater cameras have shifted forward for improved visibility. Tesla has also enlarged door panels for easier ingress and egress, swapped to unpainted tires without extended covers and adjusted the B-pillar forward and lower, likely to foster a more open cabin feel.
News
Tesla starts laying the groundwork for FSD tests in Austria
The job opening comes as the company pushes regulatory approvals and data collection in new European markets.
Tesla seems to be ramping its efforts to hire key personnel for FSD’s eventual expansion in Europe. This was hinted at in a new job listing for a vehicle operator role in Vienna, Austria.
The job opening comes as the company pushes regulatory approvals and data collection in new European markets.
Vienna’s vehicle operator role
Tesla posted the job for “Fahrer (Vehicle Operator) (m/w/d)” in its Vienna office on its Careers website, seeking candidates to drive and monitor test vehicles as part of the Autopilot and AI team. The role involves collecting real-world driving data to refine Full Self-Driving systems for the country’s local roads. Responsibilities include operating vehicles in urban and highway environments, documenting system performance, among other tasks.
Applicants need a valid Austrian driver’s license and at least two years of driving experience. Fluency in English is essential, along with a familiarity with driver assist systems. Tesla noted that the position offers a minimum annual gross salary of EUR 32,000, though relevant professional experience and qualifications will be taken into account. Similar to other Tesla roles, the position also offers TSLA stock as an incentive.
Tesla’s FSD Push in Europe
Tesla’s FSD efforts in Europe have accelerated in recent months, with significant progress in Spain serving as a key milestone. In July 2025, Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic launched the ES-AV framework to standardize automated vehicle testing, authorizing Tesla for nationwide FSD trials with 19 vehicles under Phase 3, which allows optional onboard safety operators and remote monitoring.
-->The program, running through November 2027, aims to position Spain as a leader in the field, as DGT stated: “The program is designed to complement and enhance oversight, regulation, research, and transparency efforts, as well as to support innovation and advancements in automotive technology and industry.”
Beyond Spain, Tesla has conducted FSD demonstrations in Germany, France and Italy for consumers, while pursuing national approval in the Netherlands for early 2026.
Elon Musk reiterates why Tesla will never make an electric motorcycle
Tesla continues growing its Cybercab production team with new job listings
