Lincoln city leaders say a pair of new electric police cruisers marks a step forward for both public safety and sustainability. Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird announced Thursday that the Lincoln Police Department has added two fully electric vehicles to its fleet. With those additions, about 41 percent of the city’s light-duty vehicles now run on electric or alternative fuels.
“Today’s announcement is a win-win-win. With these EV police cruisers, we enhance our public safety response, support sustainability goals, and make the best use of public dollars,” Gaylor Baird says.
The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV models can travel up to 275 miles on a full charge. Officials say most officers drive far less than that during a typical shift. City Fleet Manager Pat Wenzl says the department expects significantly lower operating costs, with maintenance and energy expenses far below those of traditional gas-powered cruisers.
“While the first of these police EVs has only been in service for a few months, we expect them to operate at lower cost due to electricity rates that are both lower and much more price stable than liquid fuel,” Wenzl said. “Notably, these EVs also ensure greater in-service time for our police officers as they simply don’t require as much down time for maintenance.”
Police Chief Michon Morrow says so far officers have reported the EVs deliver quick acceleration and reliable performance, key factors during emergency calls. The vehicles will be supported by high-speed charging stations capable of adding more than 50 miles of range per hour.
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