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:
| Factors | 2014 Tesla Model S 85 | Gas Ford PPV |
| Vehicle Cost | $61,478.50 | $40,500 |
| Standard Equipment Build Cost | $35,000* | $35,000 |
| Modifications Above/Beyond Standard Equipment Build Cost | $6,774.48* | $0 |
| OEM Range | 265 miles (85kWh battery) | 344 miles (18.6 tank cap) |
| Actual Annual Energy/Avg. Annual Fuel Cost | $1,036 Cost of energy consumed while charging | $5,133 Calculated assuming $3.00 per gallon |
| Avg. Annual Repair/Maintenance Cost | $4,865 | $2,915 |
| Actual Annual Costs of Energy/Avg. Fuel and Maintenance/Repair Costs | $5,901 | $8,048 |
| Avg. Annual Maintenance Downtime | 39.125 Days (10.72%) | 66 days (17.98%) |
| Avg. Annual Operational CO2 Emissions | 0 lbs. | 42,198 lbs. |
*Some costs were donated as part of the Pilot Program.
Here’s the report in full:
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