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The South Pasadena Police Department has become the nation’s first law enforcement agency to replace all gasoline-powered vehicles with electric vehicles. The city’s zero-emission fleet includes 20 new Teslas, supported by newly installed electric chargers at City Hall. The final electrification project will also introduce a solar-powered backup system for essential city buildings.
Key Highlights:
- Nation’s first all-electric police fleet with 20 Tesla vehicles
- Installation of new EV chargers at South Pasadena City Hall
- Solar-powered backup system for critical city buildings
- Estimated savings of $4,000 per vehicle annually on energy costs
- Significant reductions in fuel and maintenance costs
- Enhanced service levels for residents
“This transition reflects the city’s vision of a sustainable future based on both sound fiscal management and environmental stewardship,” said South Pasadena Mayor Evelyn Zneimer. “The City Council is fully behind this transition. We will have a 21st Century police force that is safe, clean and saves taxpayer dollars. We’re very excited to be working with our regional and corporate partners to make this happen.”
Regional air quality officials also praised the initiative. “Finishing the job of cleaning up the region’s unhealthy smog and protecting our atmosphere will require wholesale adoption of vehicles that produce no emissions while driving,” said South Pasadena Councilmember and SCAQMD Vice Chair Michael Cacciotti.
“The Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) is proud to have partnered with the City of South Pasadena on the first-of-its-kind effort to transition an entire fleet of Police cars to zero-emission electric vehicles,” said Larry McCallon, Chair of the MSRC and Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Highland.
A Paradigm Shift for Law Enforcement
The switch to electric vehicles represents a significant shift for police organizations traditionally hesitant due to concerns about range and reliability. “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.”
The transition is expected to save about $4,000 annually per vehicle on energy costs, plus additional savings on maintenance. The operational cost of electric vehicles will be at least half the per-mile cost of gasoline-powered vehicles.
Collaboration and Support
Enterprise Fleet Management played a critical role in acquiring 10 Tesla Model Ys and 10 Tesla Model 3s for the police force. “An organization’s fleet can be a clear indication of its values and priorities,” said Enterprise Fleet Management Vice President, Southern California, John Mills. “We are proud to help South Pasadena adopt an all-electric police fleet that better reflects its objectives and saves costs along the way.”
Charging Infrastructure and Environmental Benefits
The project includes 34 new chargers at City Hall, supported by Southern California Edison’s Charge Ready program. “Southern California Edison is committed to enabling California’s efforts to achieve a clean energy future,” said Jill C. Anderson, executive vice president and COO for SCE.
Health and Environmental Impact
South Pasadena’s electric police fleet will significantly reduce toxic smog-forming emissions and carbon dioxide, the key driver of global heating. “This is important, particularly in the Los Angeles area which still has the most unhealthful air in the nation,” said Cacciotti. “We hope other police departments in the region and state will make the switch, too.”
Resilient Public Safety
The Clean Power Alliance’s Power Ready Program will install a solar and battery energy storage system at City Hall, ensuring essential services continue during power outages. The system will provide clean power and contribute to overall grid reliability.
Costs and Savings
The electrification project’s total cost is $1.85 million, with significant contributions from the city’s partners, including $500,000 from the MSRC and $530,000 from Southern California Edison. The city’s expenses cover the cost of EV chargers and lease payments to Enterprise Fleet Management.
To monitor costs and ensure fleet health, the city partnered with Standard Fleet, providing advanced software for managing the electric police fleet effectively. Chief Solinsky highlighted the system’s crucial role in managing their electric vehicles.
By pioneering the first all-electric police fleet, South Pasadena sets a high standard for sustainability and innovation in law enforcement.
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