Irvine Police Department Faces Backlash Over $150,000 Tesla Cybertruck Purchase

The Controversial Purchase

• The Irvine Police Department reportedly spent $150,000 to acquire and modify a Tesla Cybertruck.
• The expensive Cybertruck will primarily serve as a promotional vehicle for the department’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program.
• This decision has upset taxpayers, especially considering the presence of Rivian, a local electric vehicle manufacturer, in Irvine.

Public Outrage and Criticism

According to Forbes, the department spent $99,990 on the Cybertruck itself and an additional $20,000 to customize it in Foundation Series guise. Some critics argue that this expenditure is a waste of taxpayer money and question the practicality of using the Cybertruck for law enforcement purposes. They argue that more affordable options like the Ford Explorer, Rivian R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV, or GMC Hummer EV Pickup could have been chosen instead.

Rivian’s Presence in Irvine

Many taxpayers are particularly frustrated with the purchase of the Cybertruck because Rivian, an electric vehicle manufacturer, has a design and engineering facility in Irvine. They believe that supporting a local company would have been a more appropriate choice, especially considering that Rivian’s R1T starts at a lower price point of $69,900.

The Price of Cool

Despite the controversy and criticism, the Irvine Police Department stands by its decision, emphasizing the promotional value and “cool” factor of the Cybertruck. They believe that the unique design and association with Tesla will help draw attention to their DARE program.