Manalapan Police Chief Jeff Rasor says the Tesla Cybertruck given to the department by an anonymous donor has so far exceeded expectations, but how long the electric vehicle lasts compared with gas-powered cars remains to be seen. Design image provided
By Jane Musgrave
Roughly three weeks after the Manalapan Police Department put a donated Tesla Cybertruck on the road, Chief Jeff Rasor said he was impressed with the performance and cost savings of the latest eye-catching addition to his fleet.
“The vehicle has out-performed all of our expectations,” he told town commissioners at a meeting on Aug. 11.
With the Cybertruck using roughly $4 in electricity during a 12-hour shift, instead of $40 in gas, the financial benefits are obvious. Further, Rasor said, the department won’t have to shell out cash to change oil, replace belts or do other maintenance that is needed to keep gas-powered cruisers patrolling town streets.
The Cybertruck has other surprising advantages, Rasor said. “It has better handling, better brakes and the back seat is good,” he told The Coastal Star.
Still, he said, while he likes the Cybertruck that was received from an anonymous donor, he hasn’t decided whether to go all-electric.
There is a sizable difference in upfront costs. A new Cybertruck costs about $11,000 more than the roughly $50,000 price tag on a Chevy Tahoe or Ford Explorer that the agency typically uses. All of the vehicles also need another $20,000 for police upgrades, like sirens and lights.
The difference disappears once cost savings are considered. But, Rasor said, there are other considerations.
“The biggest question for anybody is longevity,” he said.
Since the small agency is the first in the state to use a Cybertruck for regular patrols, Rasor is doing his own analysis about whether the switch makes sense.
The agency keeps its gas-powered cruisers for eight years. Whether the electric truck will be able to sustain the heavy demands put on a police car, remains to be seen.
The average person drives about 10 hours a week. A police cruiser is on the road for 40 to 50 hours each week.
“I have to give it about six months. That’s when you’ll see what kind of wear and tear there has been,” Rasor said. “Then I can make a decision on the next vehicle.”
In the meantime, the officer who was assigned the strange looking, tank-like car is enjoying the notoriety.
“A lot of people want to take pictures of the vehicle,” Rasor said. “It’s a head turner, I’ll tell you.”
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