Model Ys are already in service in Southern California as the company introduces the Cybertruck, the “next-generation patrol vehicle.” (Credit: AnaheimPD)
A California city has officially ditched gasoline-powered police cars and switched to an all-electric fleet for its police department.
South Pasadena, located northeast of Los Angeles, on Monday deployed the South Pasadena Police Department’s (SPPD) all-electric fleet of 20 Teslas, including 10 Model Ys and 10 Model 3s, according to a press release.
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By switching to only Tesla police vehicles, SPPD “has become the first law enforcement agency in the nation to completely replace its gasoline-powered vehicles with non-polluting electric vehicles,” the city said.
The South Pasadena Police Department is the first law enforcement agency in the country to deploy an all-electric fleet. (City of South Pasadena/Fox News)
The city said the switch to Tesla police vehicles is expected to save money on energy and maintenance. Specifically on energy, the electric vehicles are expected to save about $4,000 per vehicle annually, according to South Pasadena.
She also said electric police vehicles would benefit the environment in her town of 25,000, noting that gasoline-powered police cars are “particularly significant emitters” of pollution because of how often they tend to sit idle while on duty.
“This transition reflects the city’s vision of a sustainable future based on both sound fiscal management and environmental stewardship,” Mayor Evelyn Zneimer said in a statement.
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The city estimated the net costs of the all-electric fleet project at $1.85 million, including the “cost of electric vehicle chargers and lease payments” to Enterprise Fleet Management, the company South Pasadena worked with to obtain the 20 vehicles.
To power the new fleet, South Pasadena has already installed 34 chargers outside its city hall. The city has also added a “solar-powered system with battery storage” there, as well as at the police and fire stations as a backup, the city said.
More than 50% of the project costs are “covered by the city’s project partners,” the city said.
The SPPD uses its 10 Model Ys as patrol vehicles. (City of South Pasadena)
The all-electric fleet has been in the works for some time. South Pasadena conducted research for several years before getting the green light from the city council to move forward with the initiative, the SPPD said on its website.
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Last year, Sergeant Tony Abdalla, the SPPD’s EV transition project lead, said the cost savings “are undeniable and being able to utilize Tesla’s full suite of safety and collision avoidance systems to keep officers safe is an added benefit beyond the economics of operating and maintaining this modern electric vehicle fleet.”
South Pasadena deploys its Model Ys for patrol and its Model 3s for detective and administrative work.
Both types of vehicles have been “equipped” by Unplugged Performance.
FOX Business’ Louis Casiano contributed to this report
