Mandelieu-la-Napoule Municipal Police Adopts Tesla Model 3s
In a groundbreaking move, the municipal police of Mandelieu-la-Napoule, a city located in the Alpes-Maritimes region of France, have become the first in the country to equip their fleet with Tesla Model 3 vehicles. Announced by Mayor Sébastien Leroy via a post on X (formerly Twitter), this decision comes after French car manufacturers, including Renault and Peugeot, failed to respond to the city's call for tenders. The municipality has acquired four fully equipped Tesla Model 3s at a cost of 50,000 euros each, emphasizing the vehicles' performance, low CO2 emissions, and reduced maintenance costs.
The municipality highlighted that adopting electric vehicles is not only an ecological choice but also an economic one. According to Pierre Boutillon, director of Mandelieu Public Safety, the city previously spent approximately 650 euros per month on fuel for each vehicle, a cost expected to decrease significantly with the transition to electric cars. The anticipated reduction in energy costs is estimated at around 89.5% annually. Additionally, the switch to Teslas is expected to alleviate the high mechanical costs associated with traditional thermal vehicles, which had previously burdened the municipal budget.
The Shift Towards Electric Vehicles in Public Safety
The decision to transition to Tesla vehicles reflects a broader trend towards sustainability within municipal services. The Model 3s are designed to operate efficiently in urban environments, where traditional vehicles often incur high maintenance costs due to wear and tear on components like particle filters and clutches. The municipality is optimistic about the longevity of the Teslas, with plans for careful battery management and charging practices to extend their lifespan beyond the five years typical for their previous fleet.
Mayor Leroy expressed disappointment over the lack of response from French manufacturers, stating, "It's a shame that French manufacturers did not respond to our call for tenders." This sentiment underscores a growing concern regarding the competitiveness of local automotive industries in the face of innovative foreign technologies. The municipality's commitment to maintaining high security standards while embracing cutting-edge technology is evident in this strategic shift towards electric vehicles.
