The Folsom Police Department has officially incorporated a Tesla Model 3 and Model Y into their fleet, following a successful multi-month pilot program.
This addition was sanctioned by the Folsom City Council with a purchase totaling $108,838.28, aligning with the police department’s 2023-2024 vehicle procurement budget.
The electric vehicles are designated for use by the department’s Community Service Officers, the non-sworn members. Highlighting the move, the department emphasized, “We intend to assess the suitability of Tesla for future department use for as many fleet vehicles as possible,” signaling a potential shift towards broader adoption of EVs.
Officials praised the Teslas for their “low maintenance costs, reduced fuel expenses, rapid acceleration, responsive handling, and environmental sustainability,” noting these features align with operational efficiency and compliance with California’s zero-emissions regulations.
Tesla acknowledged the Folsom Police Department on Friday on X, saying, “thanks for the trust!”.
Folsom’s initiative marks its first venture into fully electric vehicles, adding to its fleet of hybrids. This move places Folsom alongside other California cities that have adopted Teslas for police use, reflecting a growing trend towards sustainability in law enforcement vehicle fleets.
In related news from the region, Auburn Police Chief Ryan Kinnan commented on their recent acquisition of a Tesla Model 3, stating, “It is initially going to be used as a command vehicle, meaning that the lieutenants will use this car and then probably in the future the Tesla will move in that same way,” during an Auburn City Council meeting. This purchase was motivated by a lack of inventory of traditional police vehicles and was preferred over a Chevrolet Tahoe.