South Pasadena’s Electric Enforcement

Join SPPD Sergeant Tony Abdalla on a ride in the nation's first all-electric fleet.

Sergeant Tony Abdalla has lived in South Pasadena his whole life. He has spent the last 34 years in the city's police department patrolling the same streets he grew up on.

Even as a kid, he knew there was a need for change - to fix the pollution damaging his hometown. And clean energy can help.

"Growing up here, I remember many days in school where we had Stage 1 smog alerts, we couldn't go to the playground and had to stay indoors," Abdalla said. "So, anything that helps solve problems like poor air quality, I am a proponent of."

When Abdalla was faced with a fleet of police cars nearing end of life, he had an idea that would tackle two issues at once: safe new cars for his officers and zero-emission vehicles for the environment.

Partnering with SCE on the Charge Ready program helps electrify SPPD's fleet and brings the state one step closer to reaching its clean energy goals.

South Pasadena Police Department partnered with Southern California Edison through its Charge Ready program to become the nation's first police department to electrify its entire fleet.

"We realized that this electric vehicle platform was not only a viable option for us, but the best option for us," he said. "We got better-performing cars that cost significantly less to operate. Zero emission is icing on the cake."

While researching vehicle options, Abdalla realized EVs outperformed gas cars in acceleration, braking, safety and overall handling.

"This thing is like a spaceship," said SPPD Corporal Tyler Borrello. "They are very fast, sometimes scary fast. Way faster than our old cars. Now we can keep up in all pursuits. There's no way we'll lose 'em."

Installing chargers on-site allows officers to plug in after each shift and return to a full battery.

The maintenance, or lack of maintenance, the cars require was also a huge draw. Not to mention the extra technology and cameras that come equipped on the cars.

"I liken it to an iPhone on wheels," Abdalla said.

The savings on car upkeep is estimated to be more than $300,000 over 10 years, partly because of all the money being saved on gasoline. To fuel the department's previous cars, they relied on an on-site gas pump - which has failed in the past. Now, 34 chargers installed in the parking lot provide a quick and easy charge.

"For some, the range was a point of anxiety," Borrello said. "On an average patrol shift, if I am really pushing, I'll drive 90 to 100 miles. The charge holds for 300-plus. I don't think there is anything to worry about as far as not having enough juice."

By adding chargers on campus, the officers just plug in at the end of their shift and the cars are charged by the time they hit the streets for the next shift. That convenience was a necessity for the department and where SCE stepped in to help.

The installation of 34 chargers replaced the police department's sole on-site gas pump to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

"This project would not have become viable for us, especially from a fiscal perspective, if it weren't for SCE," Abdalla said. "We needed robust infrastructure to support this all-EV fleet, so we partnered with SCE through its Charge Ready program. They brought in the necessary equipment, and we paid for the chargers. With Edison's help, we were able to significantly reduce expenses."

This big step for SPPD is a foot in the right direction toward meeting the state's clean energy goals which means 90% of vehicles need to be electric by 2045.

While Abdalla admits he "wasn't an EV guy" at the beginning of the project, he's definitely seen the light.

"After working on this, I decided I needed one of these cars personally," he said. "I bought the same one and haven't been to the gas station in years. I don't miss that at all."

For more information on SCE's Charge Ready program, visit sce.com/chargeready.