The city of Newport is making strides in electrifying its police department, with plans to add four more Tesla Model Y vehicles to its fleet. This decision comes after a successful pilot program that began in December 2023 with the introduction of three Tesla Model 3 sedans.
Newport’s commitment to electric vehicles is evident in its recent expansion of the Tesla fleet, which included two additional Model 3s in late 2024. The city also started using a Model Y for other municipal departments, paving the way for the Model Y to officially join the police patrol lineup.
City Commissioner Aaron Sutherland expressed pride in Newport’s role as a trailblazer in using electric vehicles for policing. The decision to expand the Tesla fleet was driven by the significant cost savings and environmental benefits it offers. Data presented by Newport officials shows that the base price of a Tesla Model Y is 13.64% lower than that of the department’s traditional Dodge Durango. Over five years, the Teslas are projected to save the city over $148,000 in energy, maintenance, and upfitting costs.
In terms of environmental impact, four Tesla vehicles are expected to produce just 19.87 metric tons of CO₂ emissions over five years, compared to 360.53 metric tons from the equivalent number of Dodge Durangos. Vice Mayor Julie Smith-Morrow emphasized the positive shift towards sustainability, stating, “We’ve proved the concept…and now going to a larger vehicle so patrol can use it—I think it’s fabulous.”
The Model Y’s larger size allows it to be equipped with cages for transporting detainees, a feature that smaller EVs couldn’t accommodate. City Manager John Hayden addressed concerns about Tesla’s brand, emphasizing the city’s focus on making the best financial decisions. Newport Police Chief Chris Fangman mentioned that both a Model 3 and a Model Y are available for residents to check out, with the Model 3 already in use and the Model Y set to be prepped with a cage.
Newport has also invested in charging infrastructure, with plans to install two 100 kW Superchargers and negotiate for a third high-capacity charger at a discounted cost. Assistant City Manager Brian Steffen highlighted Newport’s commitment to being at the forefront of EV adoption in law enforcement, stating, “We believe that we’re going to be one of the few in the country that have Superchargers for their fleets.”
With a growing fleet of Teslas, Newport is solidifying its position as one of the most forward-thinking municipalities in North America when it comes to embracing electric vehicles for law enforcement.