PoliceLink

MARIETTA, Ga. (MyFOX Atlanta) -- The Marietta Police Department is trying to cut back on gas by putting different kinds of police vehicles on the streets.



Marietta police officers look like kids with new toys but the T3 electric carts aren't for fun.



They'll replace police cruisers on some city streets.



"We're going to use them here at Marietta PD for special functions and patrolling densely populated areas like Franklin Road where we have so many apartment complexes," said Officer Mark Bishop of the Marietta Police Department.

A big reason Marietta decided to invest in the carts is the rising price of gas.



Police officers will be able to leave the car behind and patrol in these 100 percent battery powered electric vehicles -- saving fuel and saving cash.



"Instead of parking that patrol car, driving that patrol car at least for two to three hours we can park that car and put these into use," said Bishop.



Instead of going to the gas station the T3 is battery powered -- you just plug into the wall power outlet, then plug into the T3 and that's all there is to it



"Takes about 3 to 4 hours to charge."



Driving the T3 does take some getting used to.



The carts do move at more than 20 miles an hour and they come equipped with just about everything an officer will need in the field.



"It does have red and blue lights led lights, regular headlights, storage compartments on there."



It's a new way to patrol city streets and save on the gas bill at the same time.



Marietta police purchased two T3's to start out with. If they work out well they plan on adding more.

Thats fine, what does it cost to replace the batteries?

How often do they need to be replaced?

does it cost more in the long run say 5-10 years to operate them?

Some of these gas saving battery/ fuel cars cost more in the long run. Battery last 5 years and cost 6 grand to replace. are you saving 6 grand in 5 years on gas I doubt it. At most you will save 5 to 6 hundred dollars a year on gas. Thats less than half of the cost of the battery. The only thing you are doing is burning less fuel and it is more eco friendly for all the tree huggers

opticalserenity says ...

I've seen these vehicles and they're not at all replacements for street vehicles. Franklin Road is a total dump that has a lot of sidewalks, businesses, apartments. yes, for those type locations, it's fine. Or the city square, but the news is once again (surprised anyone?) misreporting.

And take home car programs are not a luxury to anyone. They are a part of the benefits package of some (better) departments.

agree they are good for more urban areas like atl nyc etc. regarding take home cars, it is good specially for Suwanee. we were allowed to get take home cars effective earlier this week, in order to try to keep officers here instead of moving out to dept that do the program.

I'd like to see the Paddy Wagon model.

Like the article said - they will be inuse for special events in the Square where with all the crowds and mass volume of people a patrol car will/would not be easily manouvered. Which makes sense. I would love to see the kind of response the perps down on Franklin rd  give an officer riding around on one of those....... LOL - I mean high 5 for trying alternative ways to get around gas prices ..... but in the long run for day to day beat officers -- Dont think its gonna be a good idea.

It looks like it would have its uses but I do wonder about those batteries and their replacement cost.