South Pasadena, California is the first city in the United States to replace its gas-burning police fleet with all-electric vehicles. The department announced it would switch to EVs last year and now it followed through with the addition of 20 brand-new Tesla EVs and almost three dozen chargers.

There are 10 Model Y patrol vehicles and 10 Model 3 EVs that will be used for detective and administrative duties. All of them were leased on a 60-month contract and then modified by Unplugged Performance’s Up.Fit division.

To have the 20-strong fleet of all-electric police cruisers ready at any time, the city also installed 34 Level 2 chargers at the Police Department and Fire Department, with 14 of them set to be available for public use. A Level 3 DC fast charger will be installed in the Police Department parking lot to make those charging stops quicker.

Furthermore, South Pasadena partnered with the Clean Power Alliance (CPA) Power Ready program to install solar panels and battery storage which will funnel clean electricity into the new electric police cars and act as a backup in the case of an outage.

The switch to EV will lead to savings of approximately $400,000 over ten years, the city of South Pasadena said, with the decision to transition to a battery-powered police fleet being “a no-brainer.” Operational costs are expected to be around half on a per-mile basis compared to the old gas-powered police cruisers.

“Switching to these vehicles offers the Police Department the opportunity to acquire a cutting-edge vehicle fleet,” said South Pasadena Police Chief Brian Solinsky. “This initiative not only ensures the safest vehicles for officers and staff but also leads to substantial reductions in both fuel and maintenance costs. This transition enhances service levels for the residents of South Pasadena by minimizing maintenance downtime commonly seen with gas engines.”

In a ‌groundbreaking move towards environmental sustainability, the city of Los Angeles ⁣has recently unveiled the‌ first ⁤fully electric police ​fleet in the United States. This bold initiative showcases the ‍city’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions ⁤and transitioning​ towards‍ a cleaner, greener future.

With the purchase of⁢ 124 fully electric vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and ​even ‌helicopters, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is leading the way in embracing innovative technology to tackle climate change. These vehicles are not only energy-efficient, but also​ cost-effective, saving ‌the ⁢city millions⁢ in fuel and maintenance expenses.

The decision to switch to electric vehicles was driven by the city’s ambitious‍ goal to become carbon-neutral by 2050. By phasing out gasoline-powered vehicles​ and embracing electric ⁣alternatives, Los Angeles is setting ‍a powerful example ⁢for other cities to follow suit in the fight against climate change.

But the benefits of the electric police fleet extend beyond just environmental considerations. These vehicles are also quieter‍ and produce less noise pollution,‍ making them ideal for patrolling residential areas during late hours without disturbing residents. Additionally, their instant ‌torque and acceleration⁤ make‍ them‍ well-suited for pursuing suspects and responding to emergencies in a timely manner.

However, the transition to a fully electric fleet ⁣was not without challenges. The city had to invest in additional charging infrastructure to support the new vehicles, ensuring that they could be ‌readily available for use at all times. In overcoming these obstacles, Los Angeles has ⁣demonstrated its commitment to embracing new technologies and‍ reaping the benefits of a cleaner,⁤ more efficient transportation system.

As⁣ the first city in the U.S. to adopt a fully electric police fleet, Los Angeles is paving‍ the ‌way ​for a more⁢ sustainable future. By leading ​by example, the city is showing that it is⁢ possible to balance public⁣ safety and environmental​ responsibility, proving that going green is not just a trend, ​but a necessary step towards a better tomorrow.