In the coming years, police officers will drive a BMW X1 and Ford Kuga. The red-blue-striped Mercedes B-class disappears from the street scene. But where do the discarded cars go?
The new cars were presented on Friday at the test circuit in Lelystad. “The replacement will be gradual, it is not that all current cars will suddenly come onto the market,” says a police spokesperson.
Because the Mercedes come onto the market, they are auctioned. “They are completely stripped of everything that has to do with the police,” the spokesperson said. In the Netherlands, driving around with a flashing light is reserved for emergency services. The buyers therefore get a ‘bare’ Mercedes, because the characteristic police stripes are also legally protected.
According to the police spokesperson, there is a market for the former police cars. “The cars have a roof set on which the flashing lights were attached, taxi drivers use this to place their signs.”
The fleet that is being replaced consists of surveillance cars, a total of 1,100. The new cars are a bit more spacious and a bit higher. The higher car can cross speed bumps at a higher speed and climb sidewalks more easily. The cars are not electric, because according to the police there are not yet enough charging stations. In the future, the aim is to buy electric cars.
In addition to the new BMW X1s and Ford Kugas, the police continue to have the Audi A6, which is a lot faster and can be used in pursuits, for example.