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The California Redding Police Department (RPD) will purchase the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus RWD as a service vehicle through the REU's GHG Fleet Electrification Program. This decision was made at the Redding City Council Regular Meeting on December 15.

On Tuesday night, the city council discussed a proposal to order a Tesla vehicle for the department. RPD hopes to add another electric vehicle to its fleet to help cut the amount of money spent on fuel and maintenance of gasoline vehicles.

The Tesla vehicle will be used for patrol, parades, and social events. The total cost for the vehicle is estimated to be $55,000, which includes $10,000 to prepare and outfit the vehicle with emergency equipment, $3,000 to add RPD decals and wrap the vehicle, and $500 for the required Tesla charger, which will be paid through REU's GHG Fleet Electrification Program.

Source: Redding Police Department

The city of Redding wrote:

"The total cost of the proposed vehicle is equivalent to the total cost of the most current patrol vehicles purchased by RPD Additionally, various law enforcement agencies presently using a Tesla are realizing an average savings in fuel and maintenance costs of between $ 7,000 and $ 9,000 annually."

Source: Redding Police Department

The purchase of a Tesla Model 3 will allow RPD to test an all-electric vehicle suitable for patrolling. Several police departments are already using Tesla on patrol operations. Tesla is currently a leader in all-electric patrol operations vehicles, and the company is constantly working to improve its design and functionality for this purpose, City of Redding wrote.

Several other all-electric vehicles make and models were considered, including the following:

• 2020 Hyundai Kona EV, retails for approximately $37,000 (this SUV has no prior use as a patrol vehicle and emergency equipment is not available)
• 2020 Toyota Mirai, retails for approximately $58,000 (out of price range)
• 2020 Kia Niro EV, retails for approximately $39,000 (this SUV has no prior use as a patrol vehicle and emergency equipment is not available)

"After careful consideration, the Tesla Model 3 was found to be the best option for the specific intended use based on the vehicle's design features, current use as a patrol vehicle with other agencies, availability of emergency equipment, feasibility for the assignment, and the cost of the vehicle. Base price for the Tesla is $37,990 before taxes and fees."

H/T Drive Tesla Canada

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Article edited by @SmokeyShorts, you can follow him on Twitter

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