Iowa City Police Department to unveil first electric patrol vehicle at University of Iowa Homecoming Parade

On Friday, Sept. 26, be on the lookout during the University of Iowa Homecoming Parade for the latest edition to the City of Iowa City's electric vehicle (EV) fleet: the Iowa City Police Department's Chevy Blazer EV patrol vehicle.

The Chevy Blazer joins joins a Chevy Bolt, Ford Lightning, and two RECON e-bikes used for community response by ICPD and is believed to be the first patrol-rated EVs in the state of Iowa.

This vehicle has been tested and modified for emergency response and law enforcement use, including modifications for improved braking, suspension, wheels and added durability. It's estimated range when fully charged is 290 miles, more than twice the 70-100 miles covered by an Iowa City Police Officer during a typical full duty shift. The vehicle is suited for all-weather use.

The $54,000 patrol vehicle was funded utilizing local tax dollars without additional state or federal funding. However, the City does intend to apply for the applicable elective pay clean vehicle tax credits established under the Inflation Reduction Act.

The Blazer brings the total number of EVs in the City's entire fleet to 16. Data maintained by the City's Equipment Division shows EVs are cheaper to operate and maintain than their gas-powered equivalents and, with no tailpipe emissions, are beneficial to the City's air quality.

The City's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan calls for expanding the use of EVs as a key strategy in lowering greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. A study of the City's fleet of municipal vehicles completed in 2024 identified suitable EV models that could be incorporated in the Police Department fleet, including patrol vehicles. This Blazer represents a next step in that process and is intended as a prototype to help test and understand the vehicle's performance to help guide future EV acquisitions.