Photo: Jordan Lawrence / Lexington Chronicle
Cayce Police Department in South Carolina was given a 2021 Tesla Model 3, set to become the state’s first electric vehicle (EV) patrol car in use for a Palmetto State police department, as reported by the Lexington County Chronicle.
At a press conference, Police Chief Chris Cowan unveiled the EV as it exited the Lexington 2 Innovation Center, where it will be stationed, with the officer who will drive it, Public Affairs Officer Lt. Danielle McCord.
“The innovation that you see there behind you in that vehicle is not new,” Cowan said. “It’s not something that’s new to this country, and there are multiple police departments around this country that are deploying them, but in South Carolina, we are the first agency to deploy this technology.”
Cowan also said that previous departments that have tested EVs tend to save an average of $6,000 on reduced gas and maintenance costs. Most departments deploy Tesla Model 3 units for around $50,000.
For Cayce County, however, the Model 3 incurred no costs at all for the department, with the car and design both having been donated by two businesses in the area, and the Lexington County School District 2 built a charging station for the EVs. 212 Motors and Signarama gifted both the vehicle and decal wrap.
“This vehicle cost us nothing. Absolutely nothing. It’s exciting.”
Cayce Mayor Elise Partin said, “If we can get kids to connect more and more and more and know that our officers are great people, that they care, that they are there when they need help, you know, that just keeps making a long term impact.”
On top of driving the new Tesla, Lt. McCord is the first female lieutenant in the history of the Cayce Police Department; she also recently received the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor given by the Governor of South Carolina.
