Aspen Police Asks City Council to Buy Tesla Model Y Fleet

Following a recent review of the Tesla Model Y from the Spokane Police Department, a fellow department in Colorado is looking to begin replacing its gas-powered patrol cars with electric vehicles (EVs), if approved by the City’s Council.

Aspen Police Department is seeking $311,000 USD to spend on five Tesla Model Y units to eventually replace Ford SUV patrol cars, according to Aspen Times. The news came on Monday from Aspen Assistant Police Chief Linda Consuegra, who is hoping to ask Aspen City Council to approve the purchase on Tuesday as a move to address climate change.

Consuegra said, “We haven’t always had the traditional car police departments have.” Consuegra continued, “It speaks to the uniqueness of our community as well as our department. It’s OK to be different.”

Each Tesla Model Y unit would cost around $52,000 USD, in addition to around another $10,000 USD for police-related equipment, as per a memo written by Consuegra.

If approved, the current round of Model Ys would first replace five Toyota Highlanders which are 12 years old, three of which are driven by Consuegra herself, the department’s Chief Richard Pryor and Assistant Chief Bill Linn. The fourth and fifth Model Y units would be used by the department’s school resource officer and detective.