Tesla Model Y Joins Fleet of Leawood Police in Kansas

Tesla Model Y joins another patrol fleet -- the Leawood Police Department in Johnson County in Kansas, as it shifts to electric vehicles (EV).

The EVs of the Elon Musk-owned automaker have been gracing several police departments in the United States, and the Leawood Police is the latest to join them.

Tesla Model S, X Now Only Sells with Key Cards — How to Get Key Fob — MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 21: People look at a Tesla Model Y electric vehicle on a showroom floor at the Miami Design District on October 21, 2021 in Miami, Florida. Tesla reported $1.6 billion in profits for the months of July, August, and September, a record for them. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Police fleets in the US have started to embrace EVs as it is cleaner than going fuel-powered. Not to mention that most departments have learned that the switch would also lead to lesser expenses in the long run.

Tesla Model Y Joins Fleet of Leawood Police

Now, the Leawood police department has finally opted to include a new EV in its fleet, none other than a Tesla Model Y.

As per a news story by the local Kansas news outlet KSHB, the Model Y police car of the Leawood Police Department flaunts a sleek black and white look with flashing red and blue LEDs.

The Model Y was coated mostly in sleek black paint, while its doors are in clean white color that matches its wheels. The police force has also modified the bumper of the Tesla crossover by installing a sturdy bullbar.

KSHB reports that the Kansas police department started considering getting their hands on an EV last year. But they only made it a reality this time.

The Captain of Leadwood Police Department, Kirt Yoder, narrates that he "ended up contacting about ten agencies from New York to California" before coming up with the final decision.

Yoder also said that Tesla in Kansas City was great, and "they were eager to help."

Why Leadwood Police Chooses Tesla Model Y

The decision to get a Tesla Model Y became final after the Leawood City Council approved the idea of shifting to an EV.

According to a recent report by Tesla North, the Leawood Department has weighed in the pros and cons before going all in on the Model Y SUV.

And it turns out that a Ford Explorer Patrol SUV would costs their department around $4,500 per year for its gas costs alone.

On the other hand, the Tesla Model Y would only require them to spend roughly $648 annually based on the $0.08 kilowatt per hour rate.

Tesla Model Y Joins Fleet of Leawood Police in Kansas — A model promotes the Tesla Model Y electric car at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok on March 24, 2022. LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images

After learning that going green means more savings as well, the Leawood Police presented it to the city council.

Meanwhile, the Leawood Police captain believes that EVs "are going to be the future and this is going to be a good foundation for us."

However, he adds, "Some officers have concerns because this is a smaller vehicle and the extra equipment (of a patrol car) eats into their work space.