On Jan. 22, Sterling Heights City Council helped cut the ribbon and unveil the police department’s new Chevrolet Blazer EV Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV), one of, if not the first EV police pursuit vehicle to be placed in service in the state of Michigan and the only purpose-built EV police package tested by the Michigan State Police for the 2025 model year. This vehicle is the latest addition to the Sterling Heights Electric Vehicle (EV) Fleet Pilot Program, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at ushering in a new era of sustainable and cost-effective municipal transportation. With a focus on reducing operational costs, carbon emissions, and maintenance expenditures, this program is set to transform the City's vehicle fleet, making it more environmentally friendly and economically sustainable.
The new EV police pursuit vehicle will be assigned to the command fleet and immediately be placed on patrol. Interim Police Chief Ken Pappas said the vehicle was chosen, in part, because it is police pursuit rated, but the vehicle also has a beautiful design.
“The public has already started taking notice,” said Pappas. “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.”
The EV Fleet Pilot Program was approved by Sterling Heights City Council in October 2023 and began rollout last spring. As part of the program, the City is introducing of a variety of electric vehicles into the City's municipal fleet, including this police pursuit vehicle, light-duty trucks, an SUV and a sedan. This forward-thinking initiative is designed to evaluate the practicality and efficiency of electric vehicles within a municipal context, with a specific emphasis on the benefits they can offer over traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles.
According to DPW Director Mike Moore, the City is already starting to see the benefits of 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. We will continue to rotate the EV vehicles throughout the City, collecting data and feedback following the EV fleet’s first Michigan winter.”
In addition, the police department has compared the emissions from their previous ICE pursuit vehicle’s 2022 consumption data vs. the new EV Chevy Blazer. Findings indicate a 72% reduction in emissions moving forward with the new EV police pursuit vehicle. After a year in service, City administration will do 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.
“Our EV Fleet Pilot Program is an exciting step towards a more sustainable and cost-efficient future,” said Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor. “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.”