Council approves one EV patrol vehicle purchase; staff presents updated Fleet Electrification Study and highlights infrastructure costs

The Glendale City Council on Jan. 28 approved two related items: a staff request to procure a single upfitted electric patrol vehicle for the Glendale Police Department and a staff presentation of an updated Fleet Electrification Study by consultants from the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE). The procurement resolution passed on roll call after discussion (four yes, one no); council later voted to note and file the consultant study (three yes, one no, one abstain).

Single-source procurement and appropriation

Public Works staff said the proposed purchase is part of the city’s Fleet Electrification Plan and that Unplugged Performance Inc. is the sole authorized vendor to upfit Tesla vehicles. Staff reported receiving a vendor quote for a fully upfitted Tesla Model Y; the staff presentation cited a figure of $416,144 for a fully upfitted unit. Staff said the purchase is to test an EV patrol vehicle’s performance before the city considers broader fleet transitions. The council approved the single-source procurement and appropriation on roll call (Councilmember Brotman, Councilmember Kosakian, Councilmember Najarian and Mayor Asadjarian voted yes; Councilmember Garpetian voted no).

Council members probed differences in upfront costs versus hybrid alternatives, charging logistics and operational suitability for 24/7 police use. Fleet staff said an…