NEWARK, DE — The Newark Police Department has made a groundbreaking addition to its patrol fleet by taking delivery of a Ford F-150 Lightning electric pick-up truck. This marks the first time a police agency in Delaware has incorporated an electric vehicle (EV) into its operational fleet.
The vehicle, which has been fully outfitted with necessary police equipment by a local Ford dealer, is ready for deployment.
In February 2023, the City of Newark received grant funding from Energize Delaware to purchase electric vehicles and install charging stations at the Newark Police Department and other city facilities.
City Manager Tom Coleman expressed his enthusiasm about this initiative: “The City of Newark is proud of its commitment to sustainability and excited to increase our number of electric vehicles. We view ourselves as leaders, and it’s exciting to be one of the first police agencies to add a Ford Lightning to our fleet. We are incredibly grateful for the grant funding provided by Energize Delaware and will use this opportunity to learn more about the capabilities of EV’s as patrol vehicles.”
The Newark Police Department will be using this vehicle in the patrol division to assess the feasibility of using electric vehicles in its patrol fleet in the future.
This development is significant for several reasons. It not only showcases the Newark Police Department’s commitment to sustainability but also represents a potential shift in how law enforcement agencies operate. As the world transitions towards cleaner energy sources, the adoption of electric vehicles by public service departments is an important step forward.
Furthermore, this move could have implications beyond environmental benefits. If the trial proves successful, it may lead to cost savings in terms of fuel and maintenance, given that electric vehicles typically require less upkeep than their gasoline counterparts.
However, the transition to electric patrol vehicles also brings its own set of challenges. These include ensuring adequate charging infrastructure, addressing the range limitations of electric vehicles, and adapting to the different driving characteristics of EVs.
The Newark Police Department’s initiative to test the feasibility of electric patrol vehicles could provide valuable insights for other law enforcement agencies considering a similar transition. As such, this move places Newark at the forefront of combining public safety with environmental responsibility.
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