The very first police car back in 1899 was electrically powered. It served in Ohio, had a 30-mile range, and a top speed of 16 mph, but, nonetheless, it was an electric vehicle. Over 120 years later, electric cars are being pressed back into service. Hastings on Hudson Police Department in Westchester County, New York, has commissioned the first Tesla Model Y to add to its fleet. The department proudly announced on Facebook that it's the first Model Y to be "... outfitted with lights, sirens, and a radio for police use - in the whole country (maybe even the world!)."

The department also says the Model Y has been equipped with a state-of-the-art Whelen CenCom Core Lighting system that features advanced automation and remote connectivity.

We're going to assume they contacted Freemont Police Department in the California Bay Area to check the claim, as the agency bought a Model Y recently after completing its long test program on the viability of its Model S as a patrol car. The New York Model Y won't be serving as a patrol car, though. Instead, it's being assigned to the detective division.

The reasoning is not down to its nearly silent drivetrain allowing detectives to employ stealth, although that may come in useful once in a blue moon. Instead, the police department is estimating a considerable saving on fuel.

The Model Y being used is a Long Range model with Silver Metallic paint, and Hastings on Hudson Police Department is estimating a saving of $8,525 in gas over five years. That's not a considerable saving for one vehicle. Still, as more and more electric vehicles are included in fleets, it will start to add up, and other departments have reported higher savings. However, it is questionable if that justifies the $50,000 cost of a premium segment crossover SUV right now.