South Pasadena, CA Boasts Nation’s First All-Electric Police Fleet

In a July 29, 2024 announcement, the South Pasadena, California Police Department became the nation’s first law enforcement agency to completely replace its gasoline-powered police car fleet with nonpolluting EVs.

The City of South Pasadena is taking significant steps toward sustainability with the introduction of a zero-emission police fleet. This fleet comprises 20 brand-new Tesla electric vehicles, which will be supported by a newly installed bank of electric vehicle chargers at the South Pasadena City Hall. This infrastructure upgrade underscores the city’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting cleaner transportation options.

In addition to the new EV chargers, the city is enhancing its energy resilience through a comprehensive electrification project. Once completed, this project will ensure that the City Hall, Police Station, and Fire Station buildings are all backed up by a solar-powered system with battery storage. This setup will not only provide renewable energy but also offer critical power resilience in the event of an outage. The combination of solar power and battery storage will enable these essential services to maintain operations during emergencies, ensuring that public safety and city functions remain uninterrupted. This initiative reflects South Pasadena’s forward-thinking approach to sustainability and energy independence, setting a model for other communities to follow.

“This transition reflects the city’s vision of a sustainable future based on both sound fiscal management and environmental stewardship,” said South Pasadena Mayor Evelyn Zneimer.  “The City Council is fully behind this transition.  We will have a 21^st Century police force that is safe, clean and saves taxpayer dollars.  We’re very excited to be working with our regional and corporate partners to make this happen.”

A number of regional air quality officials applauded the switch to electric police cars.

“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,” said South Pasadena Councilmember and South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Vice Chair Michael Cacciotti. Cacciotti has been the key champion of the effort. “We have been working on this for over a decade. We finally got it right and the future for municipalities across the country is clear. Partnering is the way to get big ideas done. Our city is helping to make that a reality today.”

“The Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) is proud to have partnered with the City of South Pasadena on the first-of-its-kind effort to transition an entire fleet of Police cars to zero emission electric vehicles,” said Larry McCallon, Chair of the MSRC and Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Highland. “The MSRC provided nearly $500,000 in Clean Transportation Funding to this clean air project, which furthers the MSRC’s mission to improve air quality and reduce harmful emissions from motor vehicles in the South Coast Air District.”

A Paradigm Shift for Law Enforcement

The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by police organizations marks a significant shift in the law enforcement sector’s approach to fleet management. Traditionally, police departments have been hesitant to transition from gasoline-powered vehicles to EVs, primarily due to concerns about range limitations, the risk of not being able to charge during power outages, and skepticism about the reliability and maturity of the technology.

However, this paradigm is changing. Advances in EV technology have addressed many of these concerns. Modern EVs now offer extended ranges that can meet the demands of police operations, including pursuits and extended patrols. Additionally, the development of robust charging infrastructure, including backup systems and off-grid solutions, has alleviated fears about charging availability during grid failures.

Furthermore, the proven reliability and performance of EVs in various sectors have demonstrated that they can be a viable option for police work. The move towards EVs is also driven by the benefits of lower operating costs, reduced emissions, and quieter operation, which can be advantageous in certain policing scenarios.

This new approach reflects a growing recognition within police organizations of the value and practicality of EVs. By embracing this technology, police departments can modernize their fleets, contribute to environmental sustainability, and potentially improve operational efficiency. The shift also signals a broader acceptance and confidence in EV technology, positioning it as a mainstream choice for a range of critical applications.

“Switching to these vehicles offers the Police Department the opportunity to acquire a cutting-edge vehicle fleet,” said South Pasadena Police Chief Brian Solinsky. “This initiative not only ensures the safest vehicles for officers and staff but also leads to substantial reductions in both fuel and maintenance costs.

“Simultaneously, this transition enhances service levels for the residents of South Pasadena by minimizing maintenance downtime commonly seen with traditional gas combustion engines.”

To facilitate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), Enterprise Fleet Management played a crucial role in helping the city acquire a fleet of Teslas for its police department. The city obtained 10 Tesla Model Ys to serve as patrol vehicles and 10 Tesla Model 3s for detective and administrative duties. These vehicles were specifically chosen for their performance, reliability, and suitability for various law enforcement applications.

To ensure that the Teslas meet the unique requirements of police work, the cars were up-fitted through Unplugged Performance’s UP.FIT division. This specialized division focuses on customizing and enhancing vehicles for specific operational needs. The up-fitting process for the Teslas likely included modifications for police use, such as the installation of emergency lighting, sirens, communication equipment, and other law enforcement-specific gear.

By integrating Tesla EVs into their fleet, the city is embracing the benefits of electric mobility, including reduced fuel and maintenance costs, lower emissions, and advanced vehicle technology. The use of these up-fitted Teslas reflects a growing trend among police departments to modernize their fleets with EVs, supporting both sustainability goals and the evolving needs of law enforcement.

Working with partners to identify the right cars for the right price was critical to this effort, “An organization’s fleet can be a clear indication of its values and priorities, and South Pasadena’s strategy emphasizes its dedication to sustainability and innovation,” said Enterprise Fleet Management Vice President, Southern California, John Mills. “We are proud to help South Pasadena adopt an all-electric police fleet that better reflects its objectives and saves costs along the way. This program sets a high standard for other municipalities across the country.”

The transition is expected to save about $4,000 a year per vehicle on energy costs, plus provide additional savings on maintenance, such as brakes, oil changes, air filters, and more, as EVs are less expensive to maintain than traditional gas-powered vehicles. Overall, according to Solinsky, the operational cost of the electric vehicles in the police fleet will be at least half the per-mile cost of gasoline-powered vehicles.

All the Tesla vehicles have 5-star safety ratings, which are better than any gas vehicle available for policing. This means the city’s officers will be as safe as possible in the field, according to Solinsky.

“We’ve had the pleasure of developing best in class next-generation police vehicles alongside the great team at South Pasadena Police Department,” said Unplugged Performance CEO, Ben Shaffer. “As a result, 20 turn-key UP.FIT Tesla Model Y Pursuit and UP.FIT Tesla Model 3 Administrative vehicles have been produced to replace the full fleet of aging ICE vehicles.”

In addition to the advanced technology and performance of the EVs, the visual presentation of the new fleet has also been enhanced. Each electric vehicle’s sleek and modern graphics were designed by Anyone™ Collective, ensuring that the fleet’s bold visual impact matches its cutting-edge capabilities.

Charging Infrastructure is Key

City officials emphasized that a successful transition to electric transportation must be supported by adequate charging infrastructure. Recognizing this, the city undertook a comprehensive project to build the necessary infrastructure alongside the acquisition of electric vehicles.

“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,” said Jill C. Anderson, executive vice president and COO for SCE. “We are excited to help the city of South Pasadena expand and prepare the local grid to charge its new police fleet through our Charge Ready program. This program helps by providing financial incentives, infrastructure and technical support to facilitate the installation of EV charging stations. We want to thank all those involved in this project who are helping to lead the way to a clean energy future.”

A key component of this project was the installation of 34 EV chargers at South Pasadena City Hall. This installation was facilitated under Southern California Edison’s Charge Ready program, which is designed to support the deployment of EV charging infrastructure. As part of the program, Southern California Edison upgraded the local electrical distribution system to meet the increased power demand required for the EVs. This upgrade included enhancements to the power supply capabilities and the installation of the necessary underground wiring to support the new chargers.

These infrastructure improvements ensure that the city’s new fleet of electric vehicles, including the Tesla Model Ys and Model 3s acquired for police and administrative use, can be reliably charged. This comprehensive approach not only supports the immediate needs of the city’s EV fleet but also lays the groundwork for future expansions and further adoption of electric transportation. By investing in both vehicles and the corresponding charging infrastructure, the city is setting a strong example for integrating sustainable practices into public services.

Environmental Benefits

One of the primary motivations for South Pasadena’s shift to electric vehicles (EVs), as noted by city official Cacciotti, is the desire to protect public health and improve the environment. The transition to an electric police fleet is seen as a significant step toward reducing harmful emissions in the community. The use of EVs will substantially lower the release of toxic smog-forming pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide. Additionally, it will reduce carbon dioxide emissions, a major contributor to global warming.

“This is important, particularly in the Los Angeles area, which still has the most unhealthful air in the nation,” emphasized Cacciotti. He expressed hope that other police departments in the region and across the state would follow South Pasadena’s lead in adopting electric vehicles.

Cacciotti highlighted the critical need for replacing gasoline-powered police and public safety vehicles with EVs, pointing out that these vehicles are among the highest emitters due to their operational requirements. Police vehicles often idle for extended periods during traffic stops or emergency responses, leading to significant emissions as their gasoline engines must remain on to power essential equipment like emergency lights, radios, and other systems. In contrast, electric vehicles produce no emissions while operating, offering a cleaner alternative that helps to reduce air pollution.

The move to an electric fleet is not only an environmentally responsible choice but also a practical solution for reducing the carbon footprint and improving air quality, especially in regions like Los Angeles where air pollution remains a major concern. By leading this initiative, South Pasadena sets a precedent for other cities to prioritize public health and environmental sustainability in their public safety operations.

Stored Energy for Resilient Public Safety

The Clean Power Alliance’s (CPA) Power Ready Program has been instrumental in enhancing South Pasadena’s City Hall project by integrating renewable energy and energy storage solutions. As part of this initiative, CPA installed a solar and battery energy storage system at no cost to the City, adding a critical component to the project’s electrification efforts.

This solar system, mounted as a canopy over the adjacent parking lot, harnesses renewable energy to generate electricity. The accompanying battery energy storage system is designed to store excess energy generated by the solar panels. This stored energy ensures the continuity of essential services during power outages, providing a reliable backup power source for the city’s critical operations.

Beyond its role in emergency backup, the battery system also contributes to daily grid and energy optimization. By participating in demand response events, the stored energy can be used to help balance the grid during peak demand periods, enhancing overall system reliability and efficiency. This setup not only supports the city’s sustainability goals but also provides economic benefits through optimized energy use and potential savings on energy costs.

The integration of renewable solar energy and battery storage is a forward-thinking approach that aligns with South Pasadena’s commitment to environmental sustainability and resilience. The Power Ready Program’s contribution ensures that the city’s transition to electric vehicles is supported by a clean, reliable, and sustainable energy infrastructure.

Costs Will Be Carefully Measured

The electrification project at South Pasadena’s City Hall has been made possible through significant contributions from several key partners, covering more than half of the project’s total cost. These contributions include:

1. Clean Transportation Funding from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC): The MSRC provided nearly $500,000 in funding, aimed at reducing air pollution from mobile sources by supporting clean transportation projects.
2. Southern California Edison (SCE) Charge Ready Program: SCE contributed approximately $530,000 worth of work to the project, which included upgrading the local distribution system and installing the infrastructure needed for the EV chargers.
3. Clean Power Alliance’s (CPA) Power Ready Program: CPA provided a no-cost solar and battery storage system as part of their Local Programs benefit to CPA’s member agencies. This system not only supports the city’s electrification efforts but also enhances energy resilience and efficiency.

Despite these substantial contributions, the city incurred a net expense of $1.85 million. This amount covers the costs associated with installing the EV chargers and the lease payments for the electric vehicles from Enterprise Fleet Management.

To ensure effective management and optimization of their new electric police fleet, the city has partnered with Standard Fleet. This collaboration provides advanced software solutions for monitoring costs, tracking savings, and managing day-to-day operations. Standard Fleet’s system offers comprehensive control over the charging, maintenance, and dispatching of the customized Tesla vehicles used by the police force, which have been up-fitted by Unplugged Performance’s UP.FIT division.

Chief Solinsky emphasized the importance of this system, noting its crucial role in maintaining the fleet’s health and efficiency. By leveraging advanced fleet management software, the city can ensure the long-term viability and effectiveness of their electric vehicle initiative, further supporting their goals of reducing emissions and enhancing public safety.