The police force of the Swiss canton of Basel City will be putting two of its new Tesla electric cars on patrol from this weekend, following a row over the vehicles’ purchase and data protection issues.
The canton’s justice and police department said on FridayExternal link that two of the seven cars ordered were ready for use and that police officers had completed their training.
In addition, the canton’s data protection officer Beat Rudin had completed his final reportExternal link on the high-tech, specially-adapted vehicles, with the force taking on board all eight of Rudin’s recommendations. This included replacing the Tesla SIM card with a Swiss-made one.
Rudin had originally said that the vehicles should not be used until data protection issues had been addressed. In a statement on Friday, he clarified that he had no further objection to the vehicles being used, should the eight recommendations be adopted.
Controversy
In March 2018, the force announced that it was ordering seven Tesla cars as emergency response vehicles. At CHF140,000 ($137,000) each, the Teslas cost considerably more than existing police vehicles, and some local parliamentarians condemned the move as too expensive.
But the force countered there would be lower fuel and maintenance costs, and that the environmental impact would be lower.
A row then erupted in December, shortly after some of the cars arrived, over data protection. The Tesla artificial intelligence system sends out data, such as the position of vehicles. The police force was sharply criticised for not conducting an adequate assessment of data protection risks.
Misgivings again surfaced in February this year after a parliamentary commission in the northern canton ruled that the cars were bought “unlawfully” because public tender rules were not observed.
In total, three of the seven cars have now arrived in Basel. One will be kept in reserve. The other four are due to arrive by the end of the year, the justice and police department said.
More
More
What does the future hold for electric vehicles?
This content was published on
Switzerland has a new strategy to promote electric vehicles, but the Alpine nation remains far behind leading e-mobility pioneers.
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
International hot air balloon festival draws thousands despite bad weather
This content was published on
Despite a few rainy days and the cancellation of the anniversary celebrations, the 45th International Balloon Festival wrapped up under glorious sunshine.
Swiss company supplies Serbia with surveillance technology
This content was published on
A Swiss company has supplied the Serbian government with a geolocation and eavesdropping system, the SonntagsBlick reported on Sunday.
This content was published on
A committee of Switzerland’s House of Representatives has found the people’s initiative to limit fireworks too extreme, but has suggested a counter-proposal.
UN investigators report evidence of crimes in Syria and call for national dialogue
This content was published on
UN investigators in Geneva report ample evidence of crimes in Syria and urge the regime to follow through on its promise of a national dialogue.
Swiss Trade Union warns EU deal could threaten wages
This content was published on
The Swiss Trade Union Federation warns that the new bilateral agreement between Switzerland and the EU could threaten wage protection and public services.
Credit Suisse fines from Mozambique scandal to fund victims’ compensation
This content was published on
The fines imposed on Credit Suisse for the Mozambique scandal will be allocated to a fund for the victims, amounting to $105.5 million.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Police force’s Tesla fleet drives into problems
This content was published on
Basel City’s justice department did not invite other car manufacturers to bid for the contract, which eventually cost nearly CHF1 million ($1 million), the commission said on Thursday. It is the latest setback for the fleet before it has even entered operational service. Justice department head Baschi Dürr admitted that not all the documentation of…
Tesla crash may have triggered battery fire, say Swiss firefighters
This content was published on
The impact in a fatal accident involving a Tesla electric car may have set off a fire in the vehicle’s battery, according to Swiss firefighters.
Fast and futuristic, but are electric cars for everyone?
This content was published on
Marco Piffaretti started engineering firm Protoscar at the age of 22 to develop technical and design solutions for environmentally-friendly mobility. Between 2009 and 2011, the Ticino company presented three models of the Lampo, an electric sports car that can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. swissinfo.ch: There’s been talk of electric cars…
This content was published on
The firm received its award on Thursday after a competition involving 111 teams and 136 vehicles in a series of road and laboratory tests. The Winterthur-based company was the winner of the Alternative Class-tandem category. It shared the $10 million prize (SFr 10.18 million), with the American winners of two other categories. Besides receiving $2.5…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.