Waco, TX — The city of Waco is testing electric vehicles (EVs) for use in its police fleet, continuing its efforts to promote sustainability and reduce environmental impact. Waco already has 25 EVs across various city departments, but the police department is now experimenting with its first electric patrol vehicle.
Waco’s Sustainability Programs Manager, Eric Coffman, highlighted the environmental benefits of electric vehicles, noting that they produce zero emissions, which helps improve air quality. “It’s a city priority to keep our environment clean and safe for our neighbors, so we’re investing in electric vehicles,” Coffman said.
While the police department is still in the evaluation phase, the initial results have been positive. According to Coffman, EVs offer significant cost savings, particularly in fuel and maintenance. For instance, one electric vehicle can travel 100 miles for just $2 in electricity. Additionally, electric vehicles do not require oil changes, further reducing long-term maintenance costs.
However, there are some challenges associated with EVs that the city is carefully considering. One major concern is the range of the vehicles, as police operations often require long-distance travel and high performance. The city is also evaluating the availability of charging infrastructure and the time it takes to recharge the vehicles, which could impact their effectiveness during high-demand situations.
“We are testing out one vehicle right now to see how it performs,” Coffman explained. “It is outfitted with some of the necessary police equipment, but we need to ensure that these vehicles meet the power and range requirements that are essential for law enforcement work.”
While the city’s EVs are typically used for less intensive tasks, such as code enforcement and inspections, the police department’s tests will help determine if EVs can handle the demanding nature of police work. Waco police officials acknowledge that the vehicles are undergoing rigorous testing to evaluate their viability in real-world law enforcement scenarios.
No decision has been made yet about the future of electric vehicles within the police fleet, and there is no set timeline for when the testing process will conclude. However, with the initial success of the pilot, the city of Waco continues to explore ways to balance sustainability with the operational needs of its police force.
