The Bargersville Police Department made history in 2019 as the first in Indiana—and one of the first in the world—to add a Tesla Model 3 to its fleet. Five years later, the small-town force of just 16 officers has become a global leader in EV policing, operating a fleet of 13 Tesla patrol vehicles and saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process.
According to recent comments from Bargersville Police Chief Todd Bertram to the Indy Star, the department has saved “about $70,000 to $80,000 a year” since 2020 thanks to the Teslas’ lower operating and maintenance costs. That adds up to nearly half a million dollars in savings over the last five years, significantly reducing the town’s vehicle expenses.
“I couldn’t even begin to say how much money the department has saved. The more cars we get, the more savings too,” Bertram said.
A Shift That Sparked Change
Bargersville began its transition to electric patrol cars with a single Model 3 in 2019. Early results were promising, saving nearly $7,000 in fuel costs during the first year alone. Encouraged by the performance and financial benefit, the department expanded the fleet to 13 Teslas—five Model 3s and eight Model Ys—including the world’s first Tesla Model Y K-9 unit introduced in 2022. The vehicle was retrofitted with a secure dog compartment and utilizes Tesla’s “Dog Mode” to keep police dog Dax comfortable between calls.
Beyond the novelty, the operational impact is profound. In June 2024, for example, Bertram recalled receiving a $3,100 gas bill to fuel just four Ford patrol cars. By comparison, the cost to charge all 13 Teslas that same month? Just $300.
“That’s a lot of taxpayer money,” he noted.
Reliability and Reduced Maintenance
The department’s Teslas haven’t just saved on fuel—they’ve also significantly lowered maintenance expenses. “We’ve never had to replace any brakes on the Teslas,” Bertram explained, a repair that typically costs between $1,200 and $1,500 on gas-powered vehicles.
The only serious issue occurred when one Tesla required a battery replacement, but even that was covered under warranty. The car was back on the road in just three days, a turnaround Bertram says is much faster than the week-long delays typical for internal combustion engine (ICE) repairs.
Even the original 2019 Model 3, which served in the fleet until it neared 100,000 miles, fetched $21,000 when sold—demonstrating strong resale value that further offsets the initial purchase price.
Bargersville’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed, as police departments around the world have been adding electric vehicles to their fleets. In Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have begun adopting EVs, including Tesla Model Ys as part of pilot projects in British Columbia and Ontario. The RCMP’s early experience has been positive, with officers praising the Model Y’s performance, comfort, and battery range.
As Canada aims for net-zero emissions under its federal climate targets, other EV models like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning have also joined police fleets for real-world testing across diverse terrains and climates.
