It's unlikely to strike fear into the hearts of criminals.
And they're sure to make a speedy getaway if the patrol car behind them suddenly needs recharging.
But police in Scotland are going full-throttle towards eco-power and have unveiled an 'electric panda' that will become Scotland's first fully-operational battery powered police car.
Lothian and Borders Police have replaced a standard police patrol car at the Scottish Parliament with a Mitsubishi I-Miev as part of their efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Eco-friendly: Lothian and Borders Police Sergeant Peter Houston inside his new electric panda, which is Scotland's first fully-operational battery powered police car
And plans are underway to add more of the carbon neutral vehicles to more fleets in the near future.
Chief Superintendent Derek Robertson, Head of Lothian and Borders Police Operations Division, said: 'The acquisition of these electric vehicles signals our intent to continually look to the future and provide the highest quality of policing whilst at the same time take significant steps to reducing our carbon footprint.'
Dave Kennan, fleet manager for Lothian and Borders Police, described the new car as 'a step in the right direction'.
The mechanic, with 28 years service with the force, said: 'There is definitely a place for it in our operations.
Battery-powered: The electric panda has zero carbon emissions, but quite how it would fare in a high-speed chase is another matter
'These cars are great at low speeds and are ideal for city centre driving.
'It drives like a normal car, albeit an automatic, and is a very smooth and comfortable ride.'
Lothian and Borders Police have also bought a zero-emission Ford Connect Electric to replace an existing fleet van.
ELECTRIC PANDA SPECIFICATIONS
Cost - £38,699
Top speed - 81 mph
Body style - Hatchback
80 miles-per-charge
Alloy wheels
Engine size - 1cc
Engine power - 66 bhp
Engine torque - 133 lbs/ft
Gearbox type - Automatic
Height - 1610 mm
Length - 3475 mm
Width - 1475 mm
Weight - 1450 kg
Turning circle - Nine metres
Co2 emissions - 0
Both vehicles are capable of travelling 80miles on a single charge and can carry around 500kg.
Mr Kennan said: 'As a large organisation that regularly uses a range of vehicles as part of our operational duties, it is prudent for us to research investments, which not only benefit the Force financially, but can have significant benefits for the environment.
'The knowledge we will gain from this trial should benefit not only ourselves but other organisations looking to utilise this technology further.'
He added: 'Both the electric van and the patrol car will now be in full operational service and will have an impact on our carbon emissions and our fuel expenses.
'If this pilot is successful and the vehicles prove themselves to be fully capable for policing duties, we will of course look to invest further and replace more of our fleet with carbon neutral alternatives.'
Fleet management anticipate that in the van's five-year service, over 1.5 tonnes of CO2 will be saved along with a reduction in fuel costs.
This will see further reductions in the force's CO2 levels and fuel costs. Both vehicles were officially put into service on Wednesday, November 9.
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