Blog Partner: Barry Kresch, President of the EV Club of CT

The Town of Westport is making great strides toward a greener and more cost-effective future by continuing to adopt more electric vehicles (EVs). The Police Department added two new EVs to its fleet, including an all-terrain utility vehicle and an electric motorcycle, and is expecting its third Tesla patrol car this summer. In addition to these new vehicles, the department has already incorporated seven plug-in vehicles, including two Tesla patrol cars (Model 3 and Model Y), a Toyota Prius Prime Plug-in Hybrid, a Honda Clarity PHEV, a BMW i3 Battery Electric Vehicle, and a Ford Interceptor conventional hybrid patrol car.

The department’s new all-terrain utility vehicle is powered by six 12-volt batteries lasting between 8-12 hours. Although it looks like a golf cart, the vehicle can drive across terrains (including sand) and includes a winch for heavy-duty applications. You might see the vehicle at Compo Beach or Winslow Park, which is used frequently when policing Westport Parks.

The Zero electric motorcycle, which replaced a retired Harley, will be used for parking and traffic enforcement. Zero is a brand of electric motorcycles known for their advanced technology and long-range capabilities. It contains a 17.3 kWh battery and is rated for a range of 183 miles in the city and 85 miles on the highway, which Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas was proud to confirm has been achieved during the bike’s first few weeks of use.

In 2019, the Westport Police purchased its first electric patrol vehicle, a Tesla Model 3, for $52,000. At the time, the incumbent gasoline-powered Ford Explorer ICE was $37,000, and skeptics were concerned that fuel savings would not be significant enough to overcome the $15,000 purchase premium. However, the EV Club of Connecticut recently completed an analysis of the expected savings in fuel, maintenance, customization, and expected vehicle life of the Tesla Model 3. Over a 4-years, the Model 3 is projected to save the Town of Westport $50,000, with the $15,000 purchase premium recouped in its first year!

With continued price-cutting by Tesla and EV incentive programs, electric vehicles are now less expensive than the traditional Ford Explorer ICE police vehicle. If purchased today, a Tesla Model Y would cost $37,990 ($47,740 purchase price with a $2,250 CHEAPR rebate and IRA incentive), continuing to make the acquisition cost of an EV less than its gasoline-powered counterpart.

In addition to the reduced acquisition costs, Tesla vehicles also are expected to provide a longer service life. The original amortization schedule was projected based on a six-year service life, compared to the expected four-year service life of the Ford Explorers. The Teslas have held up well, with maintenance costs aligned with the forecast. The department is hopeful that actual service life will reach eight years, equating to double the Explorer’s service life.

Switching to electric vehicles in the Town of Westport’s Police Department fleet is environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Lower acquisition costs, fuel costs, maintenance costs, and double service life make them an exceptional alternative to gas-powered vehicles. Kudos to the Westport Police for continuing to be a leader amongst police departments and municipalities nationwide.