Electric Vehicles will save the department thousands in annual fuel costs
information released
The East Wenatchee Police Department has added two new Ford F-150 Lightnings, and a Chevrolet EV Blazer is on the way. All three vehicles are fully funded by the Washington State’s HB 2015 grant program.
No matter how you feel about electric vehicles (EV), they are proving to work for the East Wenatchee Police. The department spends up to $5,000 per year on fuel for our gas vehicles. Our EV patrol cars run for less than $750 each per year with almost no maintenance cost.
This is ultimately about being responsible with the resources we have. When grant funding gives us the opportunity to purchase vehicles that can significantly reduce our daily fuel and maintenance costs, it makes sense for us to take advantage of it. Every dollar we can save on routine fleet expenses is a dollar we can put toward supporting the services our officers provide to the community.
HB 2015 grant funding has also allowed the department to invest directly in staffing. Through the same funding source, EWPD has hired two entry-level police officers who are currently attending the police academy, helping the department get back to fully staffed without placing the full financial burden on local resources.
As the department continues to adapt, EWPD will remain focused on regularly assessing its operational needs and identifying opportunities to use available funding responsibly. Whether through staffing, vehicles, equipment or other resources, the department’s priority is ensuring its investments provide long term value while supporting officers and maintaining a high level of service to the community.
