JACKSON, Wyo. — Jackson’s Town Council approved the bid for an additional all-electric motorcycle for the Jackson Police Department on Monday, Dec. 4, as part of the town’s commitment to lower carbon emissions.
According to Police Lieutenant Russ Ruschill, the motorcycle will replace a 2014 electric motorcycle, which has aged-out. The new motorcycle will be added to the police department fleet of clean energy vehicles. The department has used all-electric motorcycles in their fleet since 2015.
“The electric motorcycles use no fuel whatsoever and I can do a 12 hour shift without ever charging,” Ruschill shared. “I can do everything on my motorcycle that I can in my car, except for transport criminals.”
Since 2008, the Jackson Police Department has been actively involved in reducing fuel consumption and their carbon footprint, Ruschill told Buckrail.
Currently the department’s alternative-fuel vehicles include three all-electric motorcycles, two Chevy Bolts vehicles assigned to the parking devision, four hybrid Ford utility vehicles and two hybrid vehicles assigned to the investigative division, according to Ruschill.
The electric motorcycles are used ceremoniously and operationally, Ruschill said. During Old Bill’s Fun Run, officers drove the electric motorcycles up and down Broadway to ensure the safety of runners. These vehicles also lead parades and are used as funeral escort due to their high maneuverability and visibility. The Police Department uses all-electric motorcycles in the summer months for general policing and traffic enforcement.
Town of Jackson’s broad fleet of alternative-fuel vehicles includes hybrid cars, several trucks powered by compressed natural gas and electric buses operating at START. The town has also replaced an aging 4-Wheeler with an all-electric Polaris Ranger EV. This vehicle is used at the Jackson Wastewater Treatment Plant to maintain aerators, take water samples and do general yard work.
When tasked with the purchase of any new vehicle, Public Works will work directly with each submitting department to consider current and future vehicular needs, potential vehicle types and how each vehicle will be used to provide public service.
