West Shore RCMP piloting new electric vehicles and new light bar in its fleet

West Shore

2024-10-09 07:55 PDT

The West Shore RCMP is adding more electric vehicles to its fleet this fall, following positive feedback on the performance of their Tesla. Joining our EV line up is the Mustang Mach-E and Ford F-150 Lightning, which have been outfitted to meet policing standards.

In 2022, the RCMP and Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Greening Government Fleets Program began a 4-year collaborative working arrangement evaluating the feasibility of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) for policing across Canada. The West Shore RCMP has been piloting a Tesla Model Y since February 2023, which Frontline officers have routinely used to respond to calls for service. See our Tesla Model Y media release.

West Shore RCMP is already equipped with four level 2 charging stations. Frontline officers naturally return to the detachment several times during a shift to meet with clients, write reports, etc., at which point they will plug in the EVs to ensure the vehicles are always charged and ready to go.
The RCMP strives to address today's challenges and invest in activities that support the security of economic, social, and environmental health in Canada.

Environmentally, the RCMP will continue to modernize its fleet and facilities to reduce greenhouse gases, integrate green considerations into our procurement decisions, and ensure that our operations are resilient to climate change.

On that pathway, the RCMP has committed in the Greening Government Strategy that by 2030, the RCMP’s light-duty National Safety and Security Fleet (NSSF) will comprise 50% ZEVs, and a national ZEV mandate for 100% of vehicle sales in Canada by 2035.

Alongside the EVs, West Shore RCMP is also piloting a new Federal Signal Valor light bar on one of our frontline police vehicles. Currently our police vehicles have a light bar, which lays straight across the roof, whereas the Valour light bar is triangular in shape and has additional light patterns. The triangular shape is designed to be more visible to other vehicles and pedestrians who approach a police vehicle from the side as the light projection may provide more visual coverage. Light bars are one of the most identifiable features on a police vehicle and West Shore RCMP is looking forward to testing this new design.

Successful performance of police EVs depends largely upon the landscape and infrastructure in the community. Electric vehicles may not be suitable for many RCMP detachments across the country. However, West Shore RCMP being situated in an urban community on Vancouver Island makes it an ideal location for the RCMP to test Electric Vehicles, said Superintendent Todd Preston, Officer in Charge of West Shore RCMP.

Where necessary, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat with RCMP may extend timelines for the purchase of vehicle groups or locations where there are no suitable ZEV options available to meet operational requirements or electrification is unfeasible.

Released by:

Email: westshore_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: westshore.rcmp-grc.gc.ca (English only)

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