Police departments across the US have been swapping fuel pumps for charging ports, and Carl Junction, Missouri, just joined the movement with two brand-new Tesla Model Y patrol cars.
Carl Junction’s Police Department has taken a step toward electrifying its fleet with two Tesla Model Y vehicles, one assigned to the detective division and the other to patrol. Officer Amos Bindel, who has been driving one of them, says the switch has already made a noticeable difference.
“Most of the time, I had to fill up my old gas-powered vehicle at least once a day,” Bindel said. “Now, I can drive up to three days before I even need to charge.” (via KSN16)
According to Bindel, charging from empty to full costs between 30 and 40 dollars, while refueling a similar gas car with a 12-gallon tank costs around 24 dollars at two dollars per gallon. Though the cost difference isn’t huge, less maintenance and fewer fuel stops could make the Tesla cars cheaper to operate in the long run.
Why Tesla’s Model Y Fits Fleet Operations
The Model Y has gained traction in fleet and police applications due to its range, acceleration, and durability. Police Departments like Carl Junction’s will benefit from electric patrol cars, both operational and budget advantages. With fewer moving parts and instant torque, officers can respond quickly without worrying about frequent refueling.
The department’s trial run will show whether electric patrol cars can deliver on cost savings and reliability. If they do, Carl Junction’s move could inspire other small and mid-sized police departments to follow the same path.
