Winamac Police Department looking into acquiring electric vehicle

The Winamac Police Department is due to purchase a new police vehicle and police chief Tyler Campbell said that they are interested in potentially adding an electric vehicle to their fleet. Chief Campbell explained at a special meeting of the Winamac Metropolitan Board of Police Commissioners on Dec. 20 that they looking at getting a Ford F150 Lightning. The department skipped purchasing a vehicle last year to help save for an electric vehicle. The truck has increased acceleration and it is 100 percent electric. Campbell said that over the life of the vehicle, they would save approximately $57,000 in fuel costs alone based off of current gas prices. The truck would have an extended battery life and would come to about $83,000. The battery would have an eight year, 100,000 mile warranty. Winamac town manager Brad Zellers said that if they chose to go with the vehicle, they would look to the Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) for help with getting a charger. In order for spring delivery, they would have to order the vehicle by mid-January. The Winamac Metropolitan Board of Police Commissioners, a board made up of the Winamac Town Council members, will be taking the matter under advisement. Councilman Larry Weaver asked Brad Zellers to contact the North Judson Town Council to see how they like their electric vehicle.