Police force in Newport bolsters its fleet by acquiring four Tesla Model Y vehicles, highlighting financial and environmental benefits.
In a strategic move towards fiscal responsibility and environmental sustainability, the Newport Police Department in Kentucky has decided to expand its electric vehicle fleet by adding four additional Tesla Model Y vehicles. This decision comes after a successful initial pilot program and a thorough cost-benefit analysis.
The Tesla Model Y has been found to be 13.64% less expensive in base price compared to the department's traditional vehicle of choice, the Dodge Durango. Beyond the initial purchase price, the Tesla vehicles are projected to deliver significant cost savings over five years, amounting to over $148,000 saved in combined energy, maintenance, and upfitting expenses for the fleet.
The cost benefits extend across several categories including lower upfitting costs, reduced annual energy and fuel costs, lower maintenance costs, and a higher resale value after five years. Every one of these categories showed the Tesla Model Y outperforming the Dodge Durango.
In addition to financial savings, Newport officials highlighted the environmental advantages. Over five years, four Tesla Model Y vehicles are expected to emit just 19.87 metric tons of CO₂, whereas an equivalent number of Dodge Durangos would produce 360.53 metric tons of CO₂, indicating a dramatic reduction in emissions by switching to electric.
City Manager John Hayden emphasized that the city is focused on delivering the best value to taxpayers. He stated, "The city's primary duty is to act in the public's financial interest." Hayden addressed political concerns about Tesla, stating that the city's decision was not solely based on political considerations but also on the vehicles' overall value and performance.
The Newport Police Department considered the Ford Mustang Mach-E as a potential alternative but found Tesla's pricing and performance to be a better fit. The upfitting costs for emergency lights, sirens, radios, protective partitions (cages), computer mounts, weapon storage, and department-specific decals were more than 15% less for the Tesla Model Y compared to the Dodge Durango.
The expansion began in December 2023 with the addition of three Tesla Model 3s to the Newport Police Department's lineup. The decision was made during a city commission meeting on June 16, 2024. The move is expected to save the city more than $148,000 across the four new vehicles.
The Newport Police Department's transition towards electric vehicles began more than three years ago, with the initiative spearheaded by Police Chief Chris Fangman due to rising vehicle costs, particularly for the Dodge Durango. This decision marks another step in Newport's commitment to electrifying its police fleet, aiming to reduce costs and carbon footprint simultaneously.
[1] City of Newport Press Release, "Newport Police Department Expands Electric Fleet with Tesla Model Y Vehicles," December 1, 2023. [2] City of Newport Cost-Benefit Analysis Report, "Tesla Model Y vs Dodge Durango for Newport Police Department," June 15, 2024.
- The Newport Police Department's strategic expansion of its electric vehicle fleet with four Tesla Model Y vehicles is not only financially beneficial, but also offers significant environmental advantages.
- According to the City of Newport Cost-Benefit Analysis Report, over five years, the Tesla Model Y outperforms the Dodge Durango in every category, including lower upfitting costs, reduced annual energy and fuel costs, lower maintenance costs, a higher resale value, and greater savings in combined expenses amounting to over $148,000.
- City Manager John Hayden stressed that the city's primary duty is to act in the public's financial interest, and the transition towards electric vehicles, such as the Tesla Model Y, is part of their commitment to delivering the best value to taxpayers while reducing the city's carbon footprint.
