The Virginia Sheriff’s Association (VSA), an organization representing 123 sheriff’s offices in Virginia, will be updating its state vehicle procurement in October.
To meet the growing demand from local governments, officers and citizens, the new contract will have a larger selection of electric vehicles that can be procured.
EV expected to be listed this year include models from Tesla, General Motors, Ford, Chrysler and Nissan.
The VSA’s contract is cooperative and can be used by other local governments and even state agencies. This new development will significantly ease the transition to EVs in government fleets. The wider selection of EV models gives fleet managers more options to fit departments’ needs as well.
The auto manufacturers provide VSA with vehicle specifications that they best see fit for government customers. Some of the more expensive trim levels and models will not be offered.
New this year to VSA’s vehicle procurement program is American EV manufacturer, Tesla. Police departments around the country have found success using the Tesla Model 3 as a police car due to its acceleration and range.
In addition to pure battery EVs, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and traditional hybrids offer great practicality and an elimination of idling, which contributes to large fuel savings for departments.
VSA will award contracts on October 9, 2021. In the meantime, if local governments have questions they are welcome to contact VSA’s Director of Business Development Jason Bennett at jbennett@virginiasheriffs.org.
For additional resources available right now in Virginia, visit our Clean Vehicle Contracting page.