Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office unveils new fully-electric patrol vehicle | Indiana
On Friday, VCSO unveiled its first-ever fully electric patrol vehicle.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind. (WEVV) — The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has a new, electric tool in its arsenal.
On Friday, VCSO unveiled its first-ever fully electric patrol vehicle.
Back in February of 2023, Sheriff Noah Robinson told 44News he was exploring the idea of the use of electric vehicles within the department.
Sheriff Robinson said Friday that while electric vehicles have a long way to go before they’re used for general patrol, this is a promising step.
“When I came in the office back in January of ’23, one of my long-term goals was to study the feasibility of having an electric vehicle in our fleet,” says Sheriff Robinson. “We’re not there yet, it’s going to take a while before I think this technology matures enough for police cars to be used for general patrol, but we’ve taken the first step.”
Sheriff Robinson says he hopes the new electric vehicle can be used as a tool for recruitment, and to capture the imaginations of young people who may be interested in law enforcement careers. “… Car shows, schools, parades – any kind of public event, we’re gonna try to have it there to help aid in recruitment for both the sheriff’s office and for our deputies in the jail.”
The sheriff’s office says the patrol vehicle is a used 2016 Tesla Model S 75D that was purchased from a local business that wished to remain anonymous.
Sponsors including Capital Electric Inc., IBEW Local 16, Energy Systems Group, and Busler’s – Batteries Now, all helped offset the cost of the vehicle’s purchase and outfitting.
The vehicle will make its next appearance at the EPD Foundation Public Safety Car Show on Saturday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wesselman Park.
You can see more from Friday’s announcement below, or on the VCSO website by clicking here.
