The 2026 Tesla Model Y Juniper has officially entered service with the Murphy Police Department, taking on patrol duties — and it wears the uniform surprisingly well.
The 2026 Tesla Model Y Juniper has officially been introduced to the Murphy Police Department fleet as a new patrol vehicle, and it certainly looks the part in full police trim. Outfitted with the UP.FIT package and department livery, the electric crossover made its public debut at a ceremony attended by city officials, officers, and local residents.
Officials in the North Texas city estimate that each electric patrol unit could reduce annual operating costs by roughly $4,100 to $12,000 compared to traditional gasoline-powered cruisers.
Those figures are based on a vehicle assigned to a single officer working about 42 hours per week. In scenarios where cars are shared — accumulating between 140 and 168 patrol hours weekly — projected savings rise to between $8,500 and $12,000 per vehicle annually.
In practical terms, the department expects to cut fuel and maintenance expenses significantly. City Manager Aretha Adams emphasized that the decision is rooted in fiscal responsibility rather than trend-following. According to Adams, the initiative is designed to make better use of taxpayer funds while preserving the department’s service standards.
Conventional gas-powered patrol vehicles tend to experience increased wear, particularly because officers often leave engines running to supply power to onboard electronics such as radios, laptops, and other essential equipment. Continuous idling accelerates mechanical degradation and shortens service life.
By contrast, electric drivetrains avoid the strain associated with idling. City officials anticipate that EV patrol vehicles could remain in service roughly twice as long as their gasoline counterparts — potentially even longer — thanks to reduced mechanical wear.
The patrol-ready crossover was prepared by UP.FIT, a division of Unplugged Performance, a company known for developing premium upgrades and accessories tailored specifically to Tesla vehicles.
With this addition, Murphy becomes one of the early adopters deploying the updated Model Y Juniper in active patrol operations. At present, the department has placed two units into service, with the possibility of expanding the electric portion of the fleet if performance meets expectations. For now, the majority of the department’s vehicles remain large, gasoline-powered SUVs.
Police Chief Jeff Gibson stated that the department is pleased to introduce an electric alternative that lowers fuel and maintenance costs while supporting broader environmental goals. Safety was also a key factor in selecting the vehicle, given the risks associated with patrol duty. The Model Y has received top safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The department has not disclosed which specific versions of the Model Y joined the fleet. The entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive model starts at $39,990 and delivers 295 horsepower along with 310 lb-ft of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 5.4 seconds and has a top speed of 125 mph (200 km/h).
At the other end of the lineup, the Model Y Performance with dual-motor all-wheel drive produces 510 horsepower (517 metric hp) and 515 lb-ft (698 Nm) of torque. This version reaches 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds and can achieve a maximum speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).
In terms of range, the Rear-Wheel Drive variant is rated for up to 321 miles (517 km) on a full charge, while the Performance model offers an estimated 306 miles (492 km). The Performance trim carries a starting price of $57,490.