Peel Regional Police in Ontario have launched their first fully electric patrol vehicle—a 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV. This marks another EV milestone for the force, which serves the cities of Brampton and Mississauga.
The new Blazer EV is being piloted for daily patrol use, joining a small but growing lineup of electric and hybrid vehicles already in service. Peel Police introduced hybrid patrol cruisers in 2020 and began testing EVs in 2021 with a Tesla Model Y loaner, followed by the addition of four Ford Mustang Mach-E units in 2022.
However, until now, none had been used as full-time patrol vehicles.
With a range exceeding 400 kilometres, the Blazer EV will be able to easily meet operational needs, as officers typically drive around 100 kilometres per shift. The vehicle is part of a broader pilot project aimed at evaluating performance in real-world policing scenarios, including extended use and seasonal conditions like Canadian winters.
“This vehicle has the capability to meet all the demands of a traditional internal combustion patrol car, while significantly reducing our carbon footprint,” said Mark Figueiredo, Director of Materials Management at Peel Regional Police. “It also offers cost-saving benefits through lower fuel and maintenance expenses.”
The pilot aligns with the Region of Peel’s climate goals, which target a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 2010 levels by 2030. Between 2022 and 2023, Peel Regional Police achieved a 1.2% drop in emissions from its facilities and fleet, with fleet emissions already 11% below the 2010 baseline.
Currently, the police service operates 192 hybrid vehicles—133 of which are assigned to patrol duties—and five EVs, including the new Blazer. A new police facility under construction in Brampton, known as 23 Division, is slated for completion in 2027 and will be equipped with EV charging infrastructure to support a full fleet transition if the pilot proves successful.
Peel’s EV initiative follows similar testing efforts by the RCMP, which has tested the Tesla Model Y in British Columbia and Ontario. Sgt. Shaun Vickery of the RCMP’s national traffic programs unit noted that while EVs can perform well in urban settings, they’re less viable for rural detachments due to large patrol areas.
