The Eupora Police Department in Mississippi is set to become the first in the state to incorporate an electric vehicle into its patrol fleet, following the Eupora Board of Aldermen’s decision to modernize the city’s police vehicles.
The department has been approved to purchase a Tesla Model 3, marking a significant shift towards more efficient and technologically advanced law enforcement resources.
“The city was fortunate enough to receive state funding for a police vehicle, and we realized that our current fleet of six aging gas-powered vehicles could be more efficiently replaced. We are estimating about six thousand dollars in savings per year compared to a gas-powered vehicle,” said Odie Avery, Director of Public Works.
The Tesla Model 3 is planned to be the department’s primary patrol car, a move that city leaders hope will inspire other municipalities. “This will be a great pilot program for cities like Eupora. We aim to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of such an initiative, potentially guiding other cities in their fleet modernization efforts,” Avery added.
Safety is also a key factor in this transition. The Tesla Model 3 offers advanced features like constant GPS tracking and an always-active camera system. “This is crucial for officer and citizen safety, as it ensures incidents, chases, or any other events are recorded, providing valuable data,” Avery stated.
Beyond cost savings and safety, the introduction of the Tesla Model 3 is seen as a step towards positioning Eupora as a forward-thinking city. “We hope this move draws attention to Eupora’s commitment to exploring new technologies and avenues. Our goal is to utilize the best available resources to serve our citizens effectively,” Avery remarked, according to WCBI.
The Tesla Model 3 is expected to arrive in the coming months, heralding a new era for the Eupora Police Department and the community it serves.
