The Appalachian State University Police Department has introduced its first two electric patrol vehicles this fall, marking one of the first such initiatives among North Carolina police departments.
The department plans to gradually phase out its gas-powered patrol cars in favor of electric vehicles (EVs) as part of a strategy to reduce carbon emissions and operational costs.
Currently, two Tesla Model 3 sedans are in service, and four Tesla Model Y sedans have been delivered for future deployment.
The department collaborated with the university’s Office of Sustainability and Facilities Operations to evaluate the long-term benefits of EVs over traditional gas-powered vehicles. According to their calculations, each electric vehicle will save the department more than $16,000 over a five-year period and will reduce carbon emissions by nearly 35 metric tons during the same timeframe.
“The estimated annual electricity cost to power each EV is just over $700, compared with our average annual fuel and oil costs of about $5,000 for the gas-powered patrol vehicles currently in the fleet,” said Andy Stephenson, App State’s director of public safety and chief of police.
Stephenson also highlighted the immediate and long-term budgetary benefits. “The switch of our entire fleet to EVs will equate to hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings,” he stated.
The decision to transition to electric vehicles was also influenced by supply chain issues affecting the availability of Ford Explorer Police Interceptors, which are not expected to be available until 2025. In contrast, Tesla Model 3 and Model Y sedans were available within one month and three days, respectively, after placing the order.
In addition to financial benefits, the Office of Sustainability estimates that each patrol EV could help the department contribute to App State’s climate action plan by avoiding almost 7 metric tons of carbon emissions per year. This aligns with the university’s strategic priority of strengthening resilience and sustainability.
The cost data for fuel and electricity were derived from App State Facilities Operations’ Motor Pool and the Office of Sustainability, based on an average patrol car mileage of 20,136 miles per year.
