South Pasadena Police Go Fully Electric
The South Pasadena Police Department has become the first law enforcement agency in the United States to completely replace its petrol-powered vehicles with electric ones.
The transition is part of the city's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Zero-emission fleet and charging infrastructure
The city's police force now operates 20 new Tesla vehicles, all zero-emission, supported by a new bank of electric vehicle chargers installed at South Pasadena City Hall. Upon completing the final electrification project component, the city hall, police station and the fire station will all benefit from a solar-powered system with battery storage, enhancing power resilience during outages.
Evelyn Zneimer, the Mayor of South Pasadena: "We will have a 21st Century police force that is safe, clean and saves taxpayer dollars," reflecting on the city's vision of a sustainable future based on both sound fiscal management and environmental stewardship.
Air quality and environmental impact
Regional air quality officials have praised the initiative. Michael Cacciotti, South Pasadena Council Member and Vice Chair of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), has been a critical advocate for the transition.
He stated: "Cleaning up the region's unhealthy smog and protecting our atmosphere will require adopting zero-emission vehicles."
Shifting Paradigms in Law Enforcement
Traditionally, police departments have been hesitant to adopt EVs due to concerns about range, charging infrastructure, and unproven technology. However, this project marks a significant shift.
Cost savings and efficiency
City reports indicate that switching to electric vehicles is expected to save approximately US$4,000 per vehicle annually on energy costs.
Additional savings will come from reduced maintenance needs, such as brakes and oil changes. Overall, the operational cost of electric vehicles will be at least half that of petrol-powered vehicles.
John Mills, Vice President of Enterprise Fleet Management Southern California, noted: "An organisation's fleet can clearly indicate its values and priorities and South Pasadena's strategy emphasises its dedication to sustainability and innovation."
Advanced technology and safety
Enterprise Fleet Management assisted in acquiring 10 Tesla Model Ys and 10 Tesla Model 3s, which have been up-fitted for police use by Unplugged Performance's UP.FIT division. These vehicles boast 5-star safety ratings, ensuring the highest level of safety for officers.
Charging infrastructure development
The project's success hinged on the development of adequate charging infrastructure. Southern California Edison's Charge Ready programme was crucial in upgrading the local distribution system and installing 34 chargers at City Hall.
Jill C. Anderson, EVP and COO for SCE, reiterated the company's commitment to supporting clean energy initiatives and improving air quality in the communities they serve.
Health, environmental and public safety benefits
One of the primary motivations for this transition is the significant reduction in harmful emissions. EVs will cut toxic smog-forming emissions and carbon dioxide, a key driver of global warming.
The Clean Power Alliance's Power Ready Program added another layer of resilience by installing a solar and battery energy storage system, ensuring the continuity of operations for essential services during power outages.
Financial contributions and costs
More than half of the electrification project's cost is covered by the city's partners:
- Nearly US$500,000 from the MSRC in Clean Transportation Funding
- Approximately US$530,000 in infrastructure work by Southern California Edison under the Charge Ready programme
- No-cost solar and battery storage system from the Clean Power Alliance's Power Ready Program
The city's net expense is US$1.85m, which covers the cost of EV chargers and lease payments to Enterprise Fleet Management.
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