Whelen Whelen Supports South Pasadena’s Groundbreaking Transition to an All-Electric Police Fleet
The City of South Pasadena’s Police Department, under the leadership of Sgt. Tony Abdalla, has set a new standard by launching the nation’s first all-electric police fleet. This ground-breaking initiative not only demonstrates the department’s dedication to sustainability but also aligns seamlessly with the city’s commitment to environmental stewardship and fiscal responsibility. We are proud to be part of this exciting endeavor and honored that Sgt. Abdalla and his team trusted us with this visionary project, showcasing the future of policing through cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships.
Photo Credit: South Pasadena Police Department
A New Era of Sustainable Policing
The South Pasadena Police Department has fully replaced its traditional gasoline-powered vehicles with 20 state-of-the-art Teslas. This zero-emission fleet represents a significant step toward a sustainable future. Each Tesla has been outfitted with Whelen products and technology, including:
- Whelen Cencom CORE® Control System programmed with Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Sync and Dynamic Variable Intensity ™ (DVI ™) Flash Patterns
The electric vehicles (EVs) are supported by newly installed EV chargers at South Pasadena City Hall, ensuring the fleet remains operational and ready for duty.
By 2025, the city’s essential buildings, including City Hall, the Police Station, and the Fire Station, will be backed up by a solar-powered system with battery storage. This initiative not only underscores South Pasadena’s dedication to green energy but also provides a critical redundancy in case of electric grid failures.
Economic and Environmental Impact
Switching to EVs brings significant economic benefits. According to South Pasadena Police Chief Brian Solinsky, the transition is expected to save about $4,000 per vehicle annually on energy costs and reduce maintenance expenses. The overall operational cost of electric vehicles will be at least half that of gasoline-powered vehicles, resulting in substantial long-term savings.
Environmentally, the new fleet will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide, along with carbon dioxide, the primary driver of global heating. These changes are particularly vital in the Los Angeles area, which struggles with some of the most unhealthful air in the nation.
Photo Credit: South Pasadena Police Department
Working Together to Set a New Standard for the Future
Matthew Groth, Western Regional Sales Manager for Whelen, was integral in developing this partnership with the SPPD. Says Groth,
“Protecting and serving our communities is at the forefront of Police Departments across our nation. At Whelen, we take that same model when developing the latest in emergency lighting, siren, and cloud-based technologies that protect our men and women on the front lines every day, keeping our communities safe. We do this by putting people first and leading with state-of-the-art technology & innovation with American-manufactured products backed by exceptional warranties while working with our local factory representatives like WATTCO to provide an outstanding customer experience.”
The City of South Pasadena shares a similar vision, so when approached to partner on a project to create the next-generation police car, the decision was an easy one for Groth and the Whelen team. “We are proud to have built a solid relationship and partnership with the City of South Pasadena Police Department,” he says. “We are also fortunate to have a great relationship and partnership with organizations like Unplugged Performance, a Whelen Distributor specializing in Teslas, and a leader in innovative products and methods, which assisted in presenting us with this unique opportunity.”
We are excited to celebrate this monumental achievement alongside the South Pasadena Police Department as they have taken a significant step toward safeguarding our future by electrifying their police vehicle fleet. This initiative not only reduces our carbon footprint but also sets an inspiring example for other agencies worldwide.
“We’re grateful to Sgt. Abdalla and the SPPD for being innovators,” says Groth. “For putting their people first and recognizing Whelen as an organization that provides the ecosystem necessary to assist with making big changes that will continue to help protect and serve not only our police officers, but also our communities today and in the future.”
