Police in South Pasadena will soon replace their entire fleet with Tesla Model 3s and Tesla Model Ys. In doing so, they will become the first police force in the U.S. to have a fleet of nothing but electric vehicles, claiming the switch will save them a significant amount of money.
Authorities are leasing the 20 Tesla models through Enterprise for at least five years. The Model Ys will be modified by Unplugged Performance and converted into patrol vehicles while the Model 3s will be used for non-patrol and detective use.
The Los Angeles Times reports that almost $2 million in city funds have been allocated to the leasing agreement with Enterprise and that the city has also received nearly $500,000 in “clean transportation funding” through the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC).
“We have been investigating this transition for five to six years, and determined that these electric vehicles will be best operationally for us,” South Pasadena Police chief Brian Solinsky said. “They are the safest and fastest vehicles and will save the city money in lower maintenance and fueling costs. The fact they are better for the environment is an added bonus.”
To support the all-electric fleet, the city will install nine Level II charging stations just for police as well as one DC fast charger.
Read: Police Dept. Predicts Tesla Cruiser To Save Them $84,000 In 10 Years Over Ford Explorer
South Pasadena says that by using the Tesla Model Ys and Model 3s in its fleet, it could save more than $300,000 per vehicle over a ten-year period. It says that typical police vehicles cost an average of $4,355 a year to refuel while recharging one for a year will cost just $366.
“We are excited to partner with the City of South Pasadena on the first-of-its-kind project to transition an entire fleet of police vehicles to electric,” MSRC chair and Mayor of the city of Highland Larry McCallon added. “The MSRC’s funding supports these types of innovative clean air projects to help agencies who want to do the right thing succeed in their plans.”
Note: The Tesla police cruiser in the opening photo is from the Somerset Police Department
