New Electric Cruisers to Save Wis. Police Department Thousands

The Onalaska Police Department's two new electric vehicles could save the agency $16,000 over five years, and two more recently purchased cruisers could see even greater savings.

Nov. 6, 2025

3 min read

What to know

• The Onalaska Police Department introduced new electric squad cars that are nearly silent and expected to save up to $16,000 per vehicle over five years in fuel and maintenance costs.

• Chief Charles Ashbeck said the department plans to expand its EV fleet as costs drop and performance meets officer needs during patrols.

• Officers praised the vehicles’ acceleration, efficiency, and design features aimed at durability and safety during high-idle patrol operations.

Two new electric cruisers recently unveiled by the Onalaska, WI, Police Department could save the agency $16,000 over five years.

The new squad cars are slick, and you probably won’t hear one of the Onalaska Police Department's newest vehicles headed your way unless its siren is blaring.

The department’s newest cars are all electric and nearly silent, save for mandatory speakers that emit a low hum to alert nearby pedestrians to their presence.

While the cars have a higher initial sticker price, police chief Charles Askbeck hopes the new models will bring long-term savings for the city.

The electric cars cost about $9,000 more upfront than gasoline cars, but that cost gap has come down significantly since the department placed its first order.

Ashbeck said with gas and maintenance factored, the new electric vehicles are projected to save the department $16,000 over the 5-year life expectancy of most police cars.

The chief has already ordered two more electric squad cars, and they’re only $2,070 more than a gasoline car now. Askbeck reported the newest cars will bring $22,000 in savings over 5 years.

Officers put serious strain on their vehicles. Some evening patrols will idle their squad cars for 60% of each shift as police work from inside the vehicle while remaining ready to answer a call at any time.

“Industry experts all say the mileage on police vehicles should be tripled to be given a true indication of its condition, given the high idle periods. This increases the amount of maintenance and cost to keep our squads in good working condition,” Askbeck said.

Everything in the electric squad car is built with longevity in mind: Side mirrors fold in, so officers can get between cars with large equipment belts and vests, car hoods are wrapped in carbon fiber to prevent evidence scratching under examination and the motors require less maintenance than a traditional engine.

No sacrifices were made for officers, either. The two officers who primarily use the electric vehicles now say they prefer them over other squad cars.

“I was a skeptic at first, but, wow,” officer Leah Myers said. “There’s just so many little things that just make our jobs easier and a lot safer, too.”

The motors kick hard, too. Officer Tyler Blair said the single-pedal braking took some getting used to, but it started getting fun once he learned. Blair was able to take the squad car from 25 to 55 mph on a highway ramp in just a few seconds.

Onalaska’s electric squad cars will mostly be seen at schools in the daytime while they are integrated into the force, but some evening patrols have started using them as well.

_________________________

Visit www.chippewa.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.