The Town of Sykesville has purchased a Tesla Model Y as our next addition to the Sykesville Police patrol fleet. The decision was made after a year of investigation into the reliability, cost, and effectiveness of fully electric vehicles being incorporated into police operations in other jurisdictions. The Model Y was selected due to it meeting internal space requirements that would accommodate a police officer, patrol equipment, and the potential transport of detainees. According to the information below, the Town expects to realize an overall cost savings by deploying this particular vehicle over the next ten-years as compared to a standard combustion engine cruiser. These comparisons are based on actual numbers that the Town has spent on existing police vehicles
Purchase Cost: 2021 Model Y - $52,290 2020 Durango - $39,202
Difference +$13,088
Annual Maintenance Cost: 2021 Model Y - $250.00 Current Fleet - $4,928.25 (Avg)
Difference +$4,678.25
Annual Fuel Cost: 2021 Model Y - $391.00 Current Fleet - $1,763.00 (Avg.)
Difference +$1,372.00
Though the upfront cost is higher, by year three the Tesla Model Y will have already offset the difference in the increased initial purchase and will begin saving the Town more money over the useful life in the patrol fleet which is estimated to be between 10-12 years. Upfitting costs for the vehicles for lights, sirens, and radios are not listed as they are similar totals. However, most of the equipment to upfit the Model Y was generously donated by Major Police Supply (based out of New Jersey), whose national sales manager is a Sykesville resident, thus providing additional savings to the Town.
In addition to the financial benefits, the Tesla has no CO2 emissions, has a 5-star safety rating with advanced collision avoidance technology, has more storage space than a typical cruiser for police equipment, and has virtually no maintenance which will increase its time on patrol.