The Canandaigua Police Department has added its first fully electric vehicles, which will soon be used for patrol and investigative duties.
Department officials say the vehicles are the first of their kind for a police agency in the local area and will allow the department to evaluate how electric vehicles perform in the demanding environment of police work.
The vehicles were purchased through a Clean Energy Grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, or NYSERDA.
One of the vehicles is a Ford Mustang Mach-E, which will be assigned to officers in the department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit. The compact crossover SUV is designed to be more maneuverable than traditional patrol vehicles, making it easier to navigate congested traffic and busy areas. Officials say the assignment is well suited for the vehicle since traffic enforcement officers typically do not need to carry as much equipment as other patrol units.
The department has also added a Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck. That vehicle will be used by the Evidence and Crime Scene Technicians Unit. Police say the truck has the capacity to transport a wide range of evidence collection tools and can also power equipment without the need for a generator or other power source.
The F-150 Lightning will also be used to tow and provide electricity for the department’s Child Safety Seat Technician and Traffic Enforcement trailers during special events.
Police officials thanked NYSPSEL in Newark for helping research, design, and install the emergency equipment used in the vehicles for the project.
