Avondale Estates, a charming town just eight miles east of Atlanta, may be small, with its 3,600 residents and unique Tudor-Revival architecture, but it’s making significant strides toward sustainability.
In August 2022, the town’s police department embarked on a journey to incorporate electric vehicles (EVs) into its fleet. Today, four of the department’s 17 vehicles are electric, including one Ford F-150® Lightning® truck and three Mustang® Mach-E® SUVs used for administrative purposes.
The transition to EVs has proven to be a smart investment for Avondale Estates. Police Chief Harry Hess reports that from September 2022 to May 2024, the department saved nearly 2,790 gallons of gasoline and reduced CO2 emissions by 19.87 tons. The financial benefits have been noticeable as well; in April 2024 alone, the department saved approximately $200 in energy costs compared to what they would have spent on gasoline. “In April, we would’ve spent $651 on gas, but our power bill for the EV charging stations that month was only $432,” Hess explained.
Initially, Hess was skeptical about transitioning to EVs. He was concerned about the cost of electric police vehicles and the lack of charging infrastructure. However, the city, working closely with its local Ford dealership, unanimously decided to move forward with the transition. Hess quickly realized the urgency of installing charging stations and collaborated with Georgia Power to find an electrician who could set up the necessary infrastructure. The city ultimately installed Level 2 chargers at the police station and at the homes of Hess and his deputy chief.
The adoption of EVs required some adjustments for the department. Hess had to develop new habits, such as remembering to plug in the vehicle at night and managing range anxiety. However, he soon discovered that the Mach-E could handle his average daily mileage of 75 miles, often lasting two to three days on a full charge. The team also embraced features like One-Pedal Driving, which increases the use of regenerative braking and helps maximize the vehicle’s range. For example, a detective who commutes 35 miles each way has reduced her battery usage during the drive from 15%-20% to just 10% by using this feature.
Hess’s initial concerns about the transition to EVs have now dissipated. He acknowledges that while the upfront investment is higher, he anticipates a full return on investment by the third or fourth year of use. The success of Avondale Estates’ EV transition has even attracted the attention of other agencies across the state, who seek advice on integrating EVs into their own fleets. Hess’s most important piece of advice for them? “Make sure you have the EV charging infrastructure.”
As Avondale Estates continues to embrace progress while preserving its historical charm, its police department’s successful transition to electric vehicles serves as a model for other small towns aiming to adopt sustainable practices.
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