Five years after the Bargersville Police Department in Indiana became the first in the state to put a Tesla on patrol, the move is paying off—literally.
Since switching to electric vehicles, Police Chief Todd Bertram says the department has saved nearly half a million dollars in fuel and maintenance costs. “We’ve probably been saving $70,000 to $80,000 a year since 2020,” Bertram told the Indianapolis Star. “The more EVs we get, the more we save.”
The department started with one Tesla Model 3 in 2019. Today, it has 13 electric vehicles serving a 16-officer force. In June 2024, for example, charging the Teslas cost just $300—compared to $3,100 in gas for four older Ford patrol cars.
The department has also avoided expensive repairs. “We’ve never had to change brakes on any of our Teslas,” Bertram said. Brake jobs on traditional cruisers can cost up to $1,500.
Only one Tesla needed a battery replacement, and that was covered under warranty. It was back on the road in three days. A similar repair on a gas car, Bertram added, would’ve taken a week.
The first Tesla the department bought was later sold for $21,000 after reaching close to 100,000 miles. Bertram said those resale decisions are made by the town council.
Despite criticism over Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk, Bertram said his department remains committed to the EV switch. “The savings speak for themselves,” he said.
