Bargersville Police Save $80,000 Yearly with Tesla Fleet: Here's How It's Done
Nestled in Johnson County, south of Indianapolis, the town of Bargersville has embarked on an electrifying journey with its police department. This small town is spearheading a cost-saving revolution using Tesla's cutting-edge technology. Despite the environmental benefits electric vehicles provide, the driving force behind this switch has been cold, hard cash.
“It’s all about the money,” shared Police Chief Todd Bertram in a candid interview with WRTV. The initial motivation for bringing in Tesla cruisers was to save on operational costs, allowing the department to allocate more funds to personnel.
The Bargersville Police Department currently boasts a fleet of 13 Tesla cruisers, which cut their fuel expenditures by a staggering $80,000 a year compared to traditional gas-powered vehicles. The fleet initially started with one Tesla in 2019; it now stands at a robust 13, providing significant financial relief.
Police Chief Bertram admits that transitioning to electric cars was a risk in the beginning. But time has vindicated this bold move, bringing not just financial efficiencies but making additional hires possible. Since implementing the Tesla fleet, Bargersville has been able to hire two more officers, contributing to a growing force that has added around six members since the first Tesla was bought.
Clerk Treasurer Dustin Doyle echoed this sentiment, highlighting the fiscal responsibility demonstrated by these savings. “While upfront costs for Teslas are higher than for a Dodge Charger or Ford Crown Victoria, the fuel cost savings neutralize this within three years,” said Doyle.
The department’s fuel expenditure has dramatically decreased despite an increase in its number of vehicles. In 2018, Bargersville spent $54,000 on fuel. This dropped to $31,000 by 2023, even as six additional cars were added to the fleet.
The savings are evident not only in operational costs but also in vehicle value. Doyle also highlighted that while the department would typically get around $3,000 to $5,000 in trade value for a used police car like a Dodge Charger, they recently traded in one of their 2019 Teslas for $17,500.
The officers themselves have been enthusiastic about the Tesla vehicles, citing comfort, space, and efficiency. Officer Cody St. John, who came to Bargersville from larger departments such as the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, expressed his comfort with the Tesla Model Y, saying, “I have no issues with it. Plenty of legroom and room for everything else.”
St. John admitted the transition took some getting used to, but now he finds himself eager to return to his Tesla whenever he has to use a gas-powered car briefly.
Despite the glowing reviews, the fleet isn't entirely electric just yet. Bargersville still operates six gas-powered trucks and SUVs that cost the department around $2,900 a month in fuel. In stark contrast, the electricity needed to power the 13 Tesla cruisers amounts to a mere $600 per month.
“It’s working, it saves a lot of money,” concluded Bertram. He believes that many other agencies across the country could benefit from making a similar switch to electric vehicles.