Tesla Model S passes test as police car for Fremont, saves $4,000 in fuel cost

The Fremont Police department has released a report on its use of a Tesla Model S as a police patrol vehicle, and they said the electric car passed the test.

The electric car has saved them $4,000 in fuel cost in a year.

In 2018, Fremont’s police department bought a used 2014 Tesla Model S 85 for $61,478.50 (including taxes and fees) to replace a 2007 Dodge Charger that was being retired in their fleet.

Their goal was to turn it into a police patrol car to see if the electric car fits the needs of a patrol vehicle and cut gas costs.

It went through their regular police patrol testing and was put on the road last year.

After being on the road for more than a year now, the Fremont police department has released a full report on their experience with the Model S, which they deemed successful.

Here are some of the key findings from the report:

• Proved sustainable with zero-emissions, eliminating 42,198 lbs. of CO2 from Fremont air annually
• Annual costs of energy/fuel and maintenance/repair was reduced by $2,147 vs. a gas Ford police pursuit vehicle (PPV)
• Reduced the annual cost of fuel that would have been required for a traditional gas-powered police vehicle by $4,097
• Remained in service 27 more days than a conventional PPV, resulting in a significant reduction in repairs, maintenance, and downtime
• The 265-mile range of the Tesla easily accommodated the 40-70 mile range that patrol vehicles drive on average per day

Here’s a comparison between the Tesla Model S and a Ford gas-powered police patrol vehicle:

*Some costs were donated as part of the Pilot Program. 

Here’s the report in full:

[scribd id=485032185 key=key-AZ5MQxkNlWaBeOQ3A9b7 mode=scroll]