Sterling Heights Police Department Unveil New EV Chevy Blazer as Part of City’s EV Pilot Program
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~ Sterling Heights City Council made a significant move towards a more sustainable and cost-effective future on January 22nd, as they unveiled the police department's new Chevrolet Blazer EV Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV). This groundbreaking vehicle is one of the first EV police pursuit vehicles to be placed in service in the state of Michigan and is the only purpose-built EV police package tested by the Michigan State Police for the 2025 model year.

The new EV police pursuit vehicle was officially introduced to the public during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by members of the City Council. This vehicle is the latest addition to Sterling Heights' Electric Vehicle (EV) Fleet Pilot Program, which aims to transform the City's vehicle fleet into a more environmentally friendly and economically sustainable one.

Interim Police Chief Ken Pappas expressed his excitement about this new addition to their fleet, stating that it was chosen because it is police pursuit rated and has a beautiful design. He also shared that members of the public have already taken notice of this impressive vehicle. "While our officer was driving the vehicle back from an upfitter, a civilian stopped them and commented on how 'sharp' the vehicle looked and was surprised that it was 100% electric," said Pappas.

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The EV Fleet Pilot Program was approved by Sterling Heights City Council in October 2023 and began rollout last spring. As part of this program, various electric vehicles are being introduced into the City's municipal fleet, including light-duty trucks, an SUV, a sedan, and now this police pursuit vehicle. The goal of this initiative is to evaluate the practicality and efficiency of electric vehicles within a municipal context, with a specific focus on their benefits over traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles.

According to DPW Director Mike Moore, who oversees this program, early signs indicate that there are significant benefits to having an EV fleet. "We've asked City employees who drive the existing four EVs, and all have been praised for their technology, smooth drive, and compact yet roomy design," said Moore. "We are also starting to see comparable data for energy costs of EV vs. ICE vehicles, and early signs indicate we are experiencing a substantial cost savings per mile driven with the EV fleet."

In addition to cost savings, the City is also seeing a significant reduction in emissions with the introduction of this new EV police pursuit vehicle. The police department compared the emissions from their previous ICE pursuit vehicle's 2022 consumption data to the new EV Chevy Blazer and found a 72% reduction in emissions moving forward.

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After a year in service, City administration will conduct a final evaluation of pilot program metrics across the entire EV fleet to determine whether EVs should be expanded across the City's more than 200-vehicle fleet. Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor expressed his enthusiasm for this initiative, stating that it is an exciting step towards a more sustainable and cost-efficient future. "We are committed to leading the way in municipal sustainability, and this initiative underscores our dedication to our residents, our environment, and our economic viability," said Mayor Taylor.

The introduction of this new EV police pursuit vehicle marks a significant milestone for Sterling Heights as they continue to prioritize sustainability and cost-effectiveness in their operations. With its sleek design and impressive performance capabilities, this vehicle is sure to make an impact on both law enforcement operations and environmental efforts within the City.

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