April 24, 2025
To: President Carrie Hartman and members of City Council
Through: Wade Kapszukiewicz, Mayor
George Kral, Safety Director
From: Michael C. Troendle, Chief of Police
Subject: Referral #026-25
REFERRAL:
Please contact Columbus OH police department. I was told they have EV Police vehicles. Ask them what they are used for, problems, experiences with EVs etc.
RESPONSE:
The Columbus Police Department (CPD) currently has thirteen, model year 2019, all electric vehicles in their fleet. These vehicles are assigned to their Court Liaison Unit, Crime Lab, Property Room and Impound Lot. These vehicles are not considered marked units and are not used for patrol, as only their Impound Lot vehicles have door decals. These vehicles are primarily used for small in-town trips between city facilities due to the limited travel time, limited amount of charging points and extended time to charge.
CPD has found that over the past two years the batteries have become very undependable. A large number of their electric vehicles were down over the winter due to battery issues and fluctuating battery charge. The city is currently in the process of replacing the vehicles assigned to their Impound Lot/vehicle inspectors with all gasoline powered vehicles due to the battery issues.