By Casey Harrison
Las Vegas Sun
BOULDER CITY, Nev. — Citing supply chain issues, Boulder City on Wednesday announced it is purchasing five electric vehicles to replace the police department’s aging fleet.
Boulder City has ordered two Tesla Model Ys, two Tesla Model 3s and a Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV with funds the city received from the American Recovery Plan Act, according to a news release from the city. In total, the city has 23 patrol vehicles, with model years from 1999 through 2015, that need to be replaced.
City officials determined replacing the current fleet is the “safest and most fiscally responsible option,” as repairs are no longer cost-effective, according to the release. Less than 2% of the city’s earmarks from the ARPA will go toward the new vehicles, the city said.
A price for the new vehicles was not given, but city manager Taylour Tedder said in the release that the price of each vehicle was “slightly higher” than a traditional police interceptor, but savings stemming from fuel and maintenance costs will help the city over time.
“Our objective is two-fold: the safety of our officers and to make sure all available officers are on the roads and visible to our residents,” Tedder said.
The city is considering the initiative a pilot program, and if it’s successful, may purchase other electric vehicles in the future, the city said.
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