
The Sterling Heights Police Department unveiled its new EV during a ceremony at the city’s Public Works department.
Photo by Brian Wells
STERLING HEIGHTS — A ceremony was held to introduce the newest addition to the Sterling Heights Police Department — an electric Chevy Blazer pursuit vehicle.
“The department is excited to test this vehicle operationally, put it in service, see how it goes,” Interim Police Chief Ken Pappas said.
Pappas said the vehicle has a number of benefits, including reduced fuel cost.
“Officers spend a lot of time monitoring traffic that just burns gas,” he said. “At that point, there is no running of this electric vehicle.”
Pappas also mentioned that the vehicle will produce less noise than a normal police vehicle, which will allow officers to have an element of stealth and reduce the chances of suspects being alerted to the vehicle when it arrives at a scene.
Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor, who was also present at the ceremony, said the vehicle also has impressive performance.
“I’ve seen some videos online, and my brother had been riding in the vehicle for a while,” he said. “I could not believe how fast it can be accelerated, how quickly it can accelerate.”
Pappas added that the increased speed will allow officers to catch up to fleeing vehicles and arrive at scenes faster.
General Motors NCR Envolve Government Account Sales Manager MinDee Richey said between reduced maintenance and fuel costs, the vehicle is expected to reduce costs to the city by an average of 72%.
Richey added that it’s one of the first electric police vehicles in the state of Michigan.
“There’s nothing more important in Sterling Heights than our public safety, so we’re really excited about having this vehicle, testing it out and seeing if this is going to be something we can expand upon,” Taylor said.
The Blazer, which was unveiled during a ceremony Jan. 22, is the latest vehicle added to the Sterling Heights Electric Vehicle Fleet Pilot Program, an initiative aimed at bringing more sustainable and cost-effective methods of transportation to the city.
“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,” according to a press release.
The program was approved by City Council in October 2023 and began rolling out last spring, according to a press release. As part of the program, the city is introducing a variety of electric vehicles into the city’s municipal fleet, including the police vehicle, light-duty trucks, an SUV and a sedan.