The Carl Junction Police Department in Jasper County, Missouri, has officially added two Tesla Model Y electric vehicles to its fleet — one assigned to the detective division and the other to patrol duties. The department says it is testing the EVs to determine whether they are more cost-effective and efficient compared to traditional gas-powered vehicles.
According to a report from local outlet KSNF/KODE, Officer Amos Bindel, who has been driving one of the Model Ys, says the transition has already delivered noticeable benefits in both performance and fuel savings.
“To fill it up from zero to 100% is roughly $2.30. In comparison in fuel, if gas was $2 a gallon, which currently it’s not, $2 at 12 gallons is $24. Most of the time, we had to fill up our old gas-powered vehicle at least once a day, but the Tesla can go up to 3 days before needing a charge,” said Bindel.
Bindel added that the all-electric crossover’s range and low cost of operation make a significant difference in daily police work, especially for a department like Carl Junction’s, which covers both city patrols and rural response zones.
The two Model Ys were purchased to evaluate the long-term financial and operational advantages of switching to EVs. With no need for oil changes, significantly lower refueling costs, and fewer moving parts, the department expects substantial maintenance savings over time.
Electric vehicles have been steadily gaining traction in law enforcement across the U.S. and around the world. Tesla, as the global leader in EV technology, has become a frequent choice for departments looking to modernize their fleets. A fleet of 10 Tesla Cybertrucks recently joined the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department after being donated by venture capitalist Ben Horowitz earlier this year, and Mexico’s Jalisco State Police has adopted several Cybertrucks for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
As municipalities continue to weigh costs and sustainability, Tesla’s expanding police presence shows how EVs are becoming a practical — and increasingly popular — choice for public service fleets.
