Aiken, SC Police Push For Eco-Friendly City Patrolling

A City of Aiken program aimed at incorporating alternative fuel vehicles into the fleet has put Aiken Department of Public Safety (ADPS) officers in the driver's seat of a few new electric vehicles.

The Star electric vehicle and the Global Electric Motorcar (GEM) have been a big hit with residents who have been downtown when the low-speed vehicles have been on patrol. The Star car was purchased for $19,000 with money budgeted for the City's program to use alternative fuel vehicles.

The GEM was acquired by ADPS through a Department of Defense surplus program which extends the life of U.S. military equipment. The GEM was outfitted with new batteries, but that was the only additional cost to the City.

The Star vehicle replaces a gas-powered golf cart, which has been used at numerous events for nearly a decade. The electric cars travel between 25 to 30 mph and are marked with reflective "Aiken Public Safety" lettering. Both have police light bars, and one is equipped with a police siren.

Possibly drawing even more attention than the cars is the electric bike that can also travel about twenty-five mph. The bike extends the range an officer can patrol, said Lt. David Turno. It also allows the officer to stay on patrol longer. "We have to carry an extra twenty pounds of gear (including a gun and bulletproof vest), and it allows us to maneuver up hills and keep going," Turno said.

The vehicles will make a special appearance in the Christmas Parade.

NAFA Fleet Management Association
125 Village Blvd., Suite 200
Princeton, NJ 08540

Telephone: 609.720.0882 Fax: 609.452.8004