Tesla Model Y squad car praised by La Crescent, MN police chief

2024.08.28 3 min read

More and more police departments seem to be discovering the advantages offered by electric vehicles like the Tesla Model Y. This was highlighted in recent comments from La Crescent Police Chief Luke Ahlschlager, who noted that the all-electric squad car has so far been good for the city.

The City of La Crescent, which is located in Houston County, Minnesota, deployed its Model Y squad car last December. The Tesla was the first electric car to be used by Houston County law enforcement. As per Chief Ahlschlager, the Model Y squad car has so far proven quite popular with the city’s police officers.

“Public State Aid was used to customize it for the police department. The officers love it and it’s good for the city,” the police chief noted.

Part of the officers’ positive reception of the Model Y squad car may be due to the vehicle’s features. As noted in a report from Hometown Source, the La Crescent Police Department has eight staff including the police chief. Chief Ahlschlager noted that the city’s officers use a phone key to access the Model Y squad car, and thanks to Tesla’s driver profiles, each officer has an individual profile that they use when operating the vehicle.

The police chief also mentioned the vehicle’s performance. “It moves fast. It’s like a souped up golf cart that runs on battery. It has regenerative braking, which works without applying pressure to the brakes and helps to extend battery life,” he noted.

Chief Ahlschlager also stated that so far, La Crescent has a charging station, though more would likely be needed if other agencies like the Houston County Sheriff’s Office also adopt EVs in the future.

Jason Ludwigson, the sustainability coordinator for La Crescent, informed the La Crescent City Council that the city was awarded $12,000 in Carbon Reduction Program funds for 2023 and 2024. Following a fleet study that was completed by Sawatch Labs, it was determined that replacing an existing police cruiser with an electric vehicle would result in a 93% GHG emission reduction. A decision was then made for the city to lease a Tesla Model Y.

“Using the fleet study data, the city made the decision to use the CRP funds to lease a Tesla Model Y. The Model Y will be used by the La Crescent Police Department. At the end of the 4-year lease term, the city will own the Tesla Model Y,” Ludwigson noted.

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