Council approves purchase of three internal‑combustion patrol vehicles amid debate over electrification

Flagstaff City Council on Oct. 21 voted to approve the purchase of three fully outfitted internal‑combustion patrol vehicles after a public discussion about the city’s carbon‑neutrality goals and the availability of electric police vehicles.

Council member Spence pulled the item from consent to press the police department and fleet staff on whether the purchases would hinder the city’s carbon neutrality plan and whether electric alternatives and charging infrastructure were feasible.

“By prioritizing the transition of fleet vehicles and other high usage vehicles that drive a disproportionate number of miles, we can expect to see an outsized impact,” Spence read from the city’s carbon‑neutrality plan during debate.

Fleet and police response

Jen Brown, a staff member managing the vehicle procurement and fleet discussions, said the three vehicles on the table were “fully upfitted” and available immediately, and that acquiring them would get “critical patrol units on the road quickly and efficiently.” She explained the vehicles arrive nearly complete from the supplier and require only graphics and radios before deployment.

Brown said the department already operates a mix of hybrid interceptors and that the next five patrol vehicles in the budget are planned as hybrid models, but that fully electric turnkey patrol vehicles are not widely available in the numbers or configurations needed today. She also said the police fleet has a limited number of chargers at headquarters and none that are high‑power fast chargers.

A police department representative described patrol cars as “hot seat” vehicles used across multiple shifts and said some vehicles are operated nearly 24/7, which complicates charging and turnaround.

Charging and timing questions

Council members asked whether a fast charger at police headquarters could make electric cruisers feasible; staff estimated earlier that installing a high‑power fast charger could cost in the range of $400,000 to $500,000 (staff attributed that estimate during the discussion). Brown outlined procurement lead times for hybrid and electric vehicles — typically months for ordering and additional months to upfit through specialized vendors — and said the department’s immediate shortage of backup vehicles drives the urgency to accept the available turnkey units.

Council action

After the discussion, the council approved the purchase for the three fully outfitted internal‑combustion vehicles (motion carried). Staff said they will pursue hybrid and electric options for future purchases, work with sustainability staff on charging infrastructure and present updates on fleet electrification plans to council.

Ending

Council members who pressed for faster electrification said they were satisfied that staff would continue to prioritize electric models going forward, but they emphasized the need to accelerate charger installation and early ordering for future vehicles.

Quote attribution

Direct quotations in this article are from remarks in the Oct. 21 council meeting by Council Member Spence and Jen Brown, staff member.