L-R: Peace Officer Rylan Zens, Ford Sales Director Keven Kurta, Town of Blackfalds Emergency Management and Protective Services Manager Ken Morrison

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

on the cutting edge

Blackfalds adds electric Mustang to peace officer fleet

Oct 18, 2023 | 12:12 PM

The Town of Blackfalds has purchased a new electric vehicle for its peace officer fleet.

The vehicle, paid for through the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC) grant, is a Ford Mustang Mach-E.

“Using an electric vehicle works well with the Town’s goals to switch from fossil fuel to electric and reduce greenhouse gases. The Mustang Mach-E is more than capable of meeting the needs of municipal law enforcement,” says Darren Gagnon, Lacombe Ford. “We are happy to work with the Town of Blackfalds in this endeavor and hope to see continued growth as they move forward with electric vehicles in the municipality.”

Ken Morrison, Emergency Management and Protective Services Manager at the Town, says the vehicle will help the municipality help the Earth.

“We are extremely excited to be at the cutting edge of technology and working towards clean emissions. Municipal Enforcement work is well suited for implementing an electric vehicle, with patrol cars remaining within town limits, as it provides a perfect opportunity to ensure the vehicle’s charge is maintained,” explained Morrison. “I would like to thank the companies that have helped us make this happen: Lacombe Ford, Ford Canada, and Mega-Tech, the company that outfitted the vehicle with all emergency equipment.”

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According to MCCAC, with the vehicle purchase, the Town will:

• Reduce maintenance costs and downtime because the brakes last much longer and there’s no need for oil changes with electric vehicles;
• Drive more efficiently because of the regenerative braking. Electric vehicles generate energy when you slow down compared to a regular car that wastes energy while slowing down;
• Create a healthier environment for everyone in your community because electric vehicles do not produce tailpipe emissions into the air we all breathe.

“We believe the electric vehicle is extremely well suited for the use a patrol vehicle requires,” says Mayor Jamie Hoover. “This vehicle will save the Town a significant amount in operating costs over many years while also reducing emissions that would typically be emitted by gas vehicles that are traditionally used by enforcement services. It’s a win-win for the community.”

The Town is expected to save $3,201 in fuel and maintenance and save 2.25 tons of greenhouse gas emissions compared to the average 4.6 of a typical passenger vehicle.

Additionally, two electric vehicle charging stations will be installed within corporate limits: one at the Civic Centre and another at the Highway 2A LED sign.

Acquiring energy-efficient modes of transportation was identified in the Town’s 2021 Environmental Stewardship Strategy.