Summary
- Alpharetta, Georgia Police Department proposes using Teslas as patrol and administrative vehicles
- Major Lindgren asks city council for a budget of $349,910.70 to purchase four Tesla Model Y units
- Teslas would offer cheaper and more efficient alternative compared to traditional police cars
- Ford Explorer patrol vehicles cost $70,629.88, while Chevrolet Tahoe patrol vehicles cost $79,811.41
- Alpharetta PD plans to use Tesla vehicles on a trial basis to analyze savings and advantages of electric cars
Article
The Alpharetta, Georgia Police Department has proposed using Teslas as patrol and administrative vehicles, citing cost savings as the primary motivator for the pitch. Major Trent Lindgren presented the idea to county council members, suggesting a budget of $349,910.70 to purchase four Tesla Model Y units equipped for police use. These vehicles, which would be used on a trial basis, are estimated to cost $80,744 for patrol units and $59,722 for administrative units before tax credits.
In comparison, traditional gas-powered patrol vehicles from Ford and Chevrolet cost between $70,629.88 and $79,811.41. Major Lindgren emphasized that the Tesla fleet would offer significant savings in gas and maintenance costs over time. Gas-powered police vehicles typically have a lifetime of 6-8 years or 110,000 miles, with officers spending up to 10 hours a day in their cars. The Alpharetta PD aims to analyze the savings and advantages offered by electric cars if the council approves the purchase of the four Model Y vehicles.
If approved, the Alpharetta PD’s Tesla initiative could potentially lead to further purchases of electric vehicles in the future. Presently, the PD has around 70 gas vehicles in its patrol fleet, making the four proposed Model Y units the first step towards a potential shift towards electric cars. The department plans to collect feedback from officers using the vehicles to determine if electric cars are suitable for police use. The decision to transition to electric vehicles would ultimately be made in the coming years based on the data and feedback gathered from the trial period.
The budget requested by Major Lindgren would cover the cost of the Tesla Model Y units and the necessary charging infrastructure for the vehicles. Tesla tuner Unplugged Performance’s UP.FIT unit would equip the Model Y units for police use. The police department’s pitch for Tesla patrol and administrative vehicles aims to provide officers with a more affordable and efficient alternative to traditional combustion-powered cars. The potential cost savings and environmental benefits of electric vehicles are key factors driving the Alpharetta PD’s proposal.
The Alpharetta Police Department’s proposal has garnered attention from Tesla enthusiasts and supporters online, with social media reactions expressing interest in the potential transition to electric patrol and administrative vehicles. The department’s initiative reflects a growing trend among law enforcement agencies to explore the use of electric cars for police duties. The outcome of the council’s decision regarding the purchase of the Tesla Model Y units will have implications for future fleet management strategies and sustainability efforts in the Alpharetta PD. Feedback from officers using the vehicles during the trial period will inform future decisions on the potential adoption of electric vehicles for law enforcement purposes.
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