A city in Southern California has taken a groundbreaking step by being the first in the nation to swap traditional police patrol cars for electric vehicles, the authorities revealed on Monday. South Pasadena, located on the outskirts of Los Angeles, will replace its gas-powered police cruisers with a fleet of 20 new Teslas, with the goal of safeguarding public health and combatting climate change by reducing emissions. The city will make use of new electric vehicle chargers that have been installed at City Hall to support the initiative.
Michael Cacciotti, a city councilmember and regional air quality official, highlighted the impact of police vehicles idling during traffic stops or emergencies, stating that it significantly contributes to emissions. Cacciotti emphasized the critical nature of this transition, particularly in the Los Angeles area, known for having some of the most polluted air in the nation, and expressed hope that other police departments within the region and state will follow suit.
While some other cities have integrated electric vehicles into their fleets, South Pasadena sets itself apart by becoming the first to completely adopt electric patrol cars. Earlier this year, the police department in nearby Anaheim introduced six Teslas to its patrol fleet through a pilot program. South Pasadena Police Sgt. Tony Abdalla mentioned that they were monitoring around 35 other agencies across the country who were open to sharing their experiences with incorporating Teslas into their fleets.
The city will deploy 10 Tesla Model Ys for patrol purposes and 10 Tesla Model 3s for detective and administrative roles, both of which are customized for police operations. With a net cost of $1.85 million, over half of which is covered by energy providers Southern California Edison, the Clean Power Alliance, and the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee. South Pasadena’s Mayor Evelyn Zneimer asserted in a news release that the city aims to establish a modern and environmentally conscious police force that also provides cost savings for taxpayers.
Switching to electric vehicles is projected to save South Pasadena approximately $4,000 per vehicle annually in energy costs and reduce expenses related to maintenance like brakes, oil changes, and air filters. Police Chief Brian Solinsky explained that the overall operational cost per mile would be at least halved compared to gas-powered vehicles. The Los Angeles-Long Beach area holds the top position nationwide for ozone pollution, commonly known as smog, and ranks sixth for annual particle pollution, as reported by the American Lung Association. Carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to climate change, have been associated with the escalation of severe wildfires in the region.
While California’s Advanced Clean Fleets rule mandates that public agencies ensure 50% of their vehicle purchases are zero-emissions starting this year, with a complete transition to 100% zero-emission by 2027, it exempts police cars and other emergency vehicles from this requirement.
