South Pasadena has made history by becoming the first in the nation to swap its traditional police patrol cars with electric vehicles. Officials announced on Monday that South Pasadena, located on the outskirts of Los Angeles, will be introducing a fleet of 20 new Teslas to replace its gas-powered police cruisers. This transition is aimed at safeguarding public health and combating climate change by reducing harmful emissions.
The new Teslas will be utilizing recently installed electric vehicle chargers at City Hall. According to Michael Cacciotti, a city councilmember and regional air quality official, police vehicles typically produce higher emissions, especially during traffic stops and emergency responses. This move is particularly significant in the Los Angeles area, which still grapples with some of the most polluted air in the nation.
While other cities have incorporated electric vehicles into their fleets, South Pasadena’s complete transition to electric patrol cars marks a groundbreaking initiative. Anaheim’s police department, located nearby, had previously introduced six Teslas to its patrol fleet through a pilot program earlier this year.
The hope is that this pioneering step by South Pasadena will inspire other police departments in the region and across the state to follow suit, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment for all.
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