Summary
- Greenfield, California is adding three Tesla Model Y vehicles to its police fleet
- Greenfield Police Chief Guillermo Mixer praised the safety, speed, and affordability of the Tesla police vehicles
- The Tesla vehicles are better for the environment and more cost-effective compared to combustion-powered counterparts
- Operating costs for the Tesla police vehicles are significantly lower than traditional vehicles due to savings on fuel and maintenance
- Despite some community backlash, Mixer defended the city’s decision to go with Tesla vehicles, citing cost savings and the need for new vehicles.
Article
The city of Greenfield, California has decided to add three Tesla Model Y vehicles to its police fleet, a move that has sparked some debate due to the polarizing nature of Teslas. However, Greenfield Police Chief Guillermo Mixer has highlighted the benefits of using Tesla vehicles, stating that they are safer, faster, and more affordable than traditional combustion-powered vehicles. Mixer noted that the Tesla vehicles have a five-star crash rating and are faster than other vehicles on the market.
In addition to safety and speed, the Tesla police vehicles are also better for the environment and more cost-effective. The city was able to acquire the Tesla Model Y units for around $50,000 each, but after federal and state incentives, the cost was reduced to approximately $42,000. This makes the Tesla vehicles more affordable than a new Ford Explorer, which is also used by the city’s police force and costs around $55,000. Mixer also pointed out that the operating costs of the Tesla vehicles are significantly lower, with an expected savings of $8,000 to $10,000 per year on fuel costs alone.
Despite the benefits of using Tesla vehicles, there has been some backlash from the community, as seen on the Greenfield Police Department’s Facebook page. Some community members expressed concerns about the city spending taxpayer money on what they perceive as overpriced vehicles that can easily run out of battery. However, Mixer defended the city’s decision to go with Tesla vehicles, emphasizing that they are actually more cost-effective in the long run. He explained that while there may be additional costs for outfitting the Teslas with necessary upgrades for law enforcement use, the savings on fuel and maintenance costs will ultimately result in overall cost savings for the city.
The controversy surrounding the use of Tesla vehicles by the Greenfield Police Department has generated interest and discussion in the community. Despite some criticism, Mixer remains confident in the decision to add Tesla vehicles to the police fleet. He believes that the cost savings and environmental benefits of using Tesla vehicles outweigh any initial concerns about the vehicles being perceived as luxury items. The department’s goal is to save money on their fleet while also contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
Overall, the addition of Tesla Model Y vehicles to the Greenfield Police Department’s fleet reflects a growing trend towards adopting electric vehicles in law enforcement agencies. The decision to go green and cut costs by using Tesla vehicles has sparked conversation and debate within the community. With the potential for significant savings on fuel and maintenance costs, the transition to Tesla vehicles could prove to be a wise investment for the city of Greenfield.
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