- South Pasadena is the first U.S. city with an electric police fleet.
- The switch saves $4,000 per vehicle annually and cuts harmful emissions.
- The city installed 34 new EV chargers and a solar-powered backup system.
South Pasadena, California, has just made history by becoming the first city in the United States to switch its entire police fleet from gasoline-powered cars to all-electric vehicles. This upgrade not only modernizes their fleet but also sets a new example for police departments nationwide. The fleet now includes 20 new Tesla electric vehicles (EVs), supported by a solid charging infrastructure and powered by renewable energy.
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South Pasadena Debuts All-Electric Police Fleet, Saving Money and Environment
It’s hard to overstate the importance of this transition. By replacing its entire fleet with electric vehicles, South Pasadena is demonstrating a strong commitment to both protecting the environment and managing finances responsibly. Mayor Evelyn Zneimer expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This transition reflects the city’s vision of a sustainable future based on both sound fiscal management and environmental stewardship. We will have a 21st Century police force that is safe, clean and saves taxpayer dollars.”
Traditionally, law enforcement agencies have been wary of adopting electric vehicles due to concerns about range and reliability. But as South Pasadena Police Chief Brian Solinsky noted, “Switching to these vehicles offers the Police Department the opportunity to acquire a cutting-edge vehicle fleet. This initiative not only ensures the safest vehicles for officers and staff but also leads to substantial reductions in both fuel and maintenance costs.”
South Pasadena’s Electric Police Fleet Saves Thousands Annually and Cuts Emissions
The financial benefits of this transition are significant. The city expects to save approximately $4,000 per vehicle annually on energy costs alone, not to mention additional savings on maintenance items such as brakes, oil changes, and air filters. These savings, along with the lower operational costs of electric vehicles, highlight the economic benefits of switching from traditional gasoline-powered fleets.
Councilmember Michael Cacciotti, a key advocate for this project, highlighted the broader implications: “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. Partnering is the way to get big ideas done. Our city is helping to make that a reality today.”
South Pasadena Boosts Electric Fleet with New EV Chargers and Solar-Powered Backup System
A critical component of this transition is the supporting infrastructure. Southern California Edison (SCE) played a key role by upgrading the local power grid and installing 34 new EV chargers at South Pasadena City Hall. Jill C. Anderson, executive vice president and COO for SCE, highlighted the company’s dedication, saying, “Southern California Edison is committed to enabling California’s efforts to achieve a clean energy future and improve air quality in the communities we serve.”
Additionally, the city’s resilience is boosted by a new solar-powered system with battery storage. This ensures that essential services can keep running even during power outages. As part of the Clean Power Alliance’s Power Ready Program, this sustainable backup power solution highlights the city’s dedication to renewable energy.
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Collaboration and Community: Making the Vision a Reality
The success of this project shows the power of teamwork. Enterprise Fleet Management helped acquire the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 electric vehicles, while Unplugged Performance customized them for police use. John Mills, Vice President of Enterprise Fleet Management in Southern California, commented, “An organization’s fleet can be a clear indication of its values and priorities. South Pasadena’s strategy emphasizes its dedication to sustainability and innovation.”
Unplugged Performance UP.FIT Transforms Police Fleets with Tesla Vehicles and Cybertruck Patrols
Central to this transformation is Unplugged Performance’s UP.FIT division. With over 100 years of combined Tesla experience and a team composed of experts from law enforcement, Tesla, Porsche, and Apple, UP.FIT is dedicated to accelerating the deployment of next-generation police and fleet vehicles. Their mission is clear: making fleet electrification simple and efficient.
“We work hard to make the process of fleet electrification simple. Most who handle fleet in law enforcement already have their hands full – we strive to fill in the gaps and make it easier,” states the UP.FIT website. Their expertise in improving Tesla vehicles has been evident since 2013, consistently pushing the limits of what these vehicles can achieve.
The collaboration between South Pasadena and UP.FIT began in 2020 when the city asked Unplugged Performance to take on the challenge of converting its police fleet to electric vehicles. The project resulted in the creation of 10 Tesla Model Ys for patrol duties and 10 Tesla Model 3s for detectives and administrative tasks. UP.FIT outfitted these vehicles with advanced engineering solutions to meet the specific needs of law enforcement.
In June, UP.FIT continued to innovate with its introduction of the world’s first Tesla Cybertruck Patrol vehicle. This next-generation patrol vehicle features advanced safety technologies, custom braking and suspension systems, and state-of-the-art electronics. Ben Schaffer, CEO of Unplugged Performance, stated, “The UP.FIT Cybertruck Next-Gen Patrol vehicle represents a significant engineering leap into the future and we’re excited to offer law enforcement agencies the future of policing.”
Cleaner Air and Healthier Communities
One of the most compelling reasons for this transition is the profound impact on public health and the environment. By cutting emissions of nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, South Pasadena’s electric police fleet is making a significant contribution to cleaner air and a healthier community. “This is important, particularly in the Los Angeles area which still has the most unhealthful air in the nation,” said Cacciotti.
South Pasadena’s decision sets a high bar for other cities. It shows that with the right partnerships, vision, and commitment, creating a sustainable, efficient, and resilient public service system is achievable. This initiative is a call to action for other cities to follow suit, embracing the benefits of electric vehicles and renewable energy to create a cleaner, healthier world for all.
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IMAGES: CITY OF SOUTH PASADENA, UNPLUGGED PERFORMANCE
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