Canada's first electric RCMP cruiser arrives on Vancouver Island
The RCMP's first fully electric police cruiser has entered service in Langford, B.C.
The shiny new Tesla Model Y was unveiled Tuesday and will be used by the West Shore RCMP on southern Vancouver Island.
Mounties say the vehicle is expected to reduce carbon emissions and the cost of fuel and maintenance compared to standard police vehicles.
According to the West Shore RCMP, the average cost of fuel and maintenance for one of their cruisers was $11,100 in 2020, with prices rising alongside inflation since then.
"This is the first ever fully electric RCMP police vehicle and we’re proud to be piloting it here in the West Shore detachment," said Supt. Todd Preston of the West Shore RCMP in a statement.
The West Shore RCMP is expecting to receive two more electric vehicles later this year, including a Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV and Ford F-150 truck.
Mounties say the use of electric vehicles is "not a one size fits all approach" for different detachments across the country, since the RCMP work in a variety of regions.
Electric vehicles may not be tenable in northern regions, for example, according to the RCMP.
The early roll out of electric vehicles in the West Shore will be used by RCMP on a national level to see how electric vehicles perform, and where to best implement them.
"Our geography and mild winter weather make this an ideal test environment," said Preston.
While the new electric vehicle is the first to be used by the RCMP, other local police departments in Canada have introduced electric cars to their fleets, including in Oak Bay, B.C., and in Bridgewater, N.S.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada makes amendments to foreign homebuyers ban – here's what they look like
Months after Canada's ban on foreign homebuyers took effect on Jan. 1, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has made several amendments to the legislation allowing non-Canadians to purchase residential properties in certain circumstances.

'Leave this with me': Alberta premier heard on call with COVID-19 protester
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, in a leaked cellphone call, commiserated with a COVID-19 protester about his trial while divulging to him there was an internal dispute over how Crown prosecutors were handling COVID-19 cases.
What is the grocery rebate in federal budget 2023? Key questions, answered
To help offset rising living expenses, the Government of Canada has introduced a one-time grocery rebate for low- and modest-income Canadians. Here is what we know about the rebate.
Spending to increase economic capacity is fiscally responsible, Freeland says in post-budget defence
Defending her latest federal budget, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said spending that increases economic capacity is fiscally responsible.
RCMP arrest 5 while executing search warrant at Wet'suwet'en protest camp
RCMP officers executed a search warrant at a protest camp on Wet'suwet'en traditional territory near the under-construction Coastal GasLink pipeline Wednesday.
'Compostable' food packaging may contain hazardous 'forever chemicals': Canadian study
As Canada phases out single-use plastics, more restaurants are opting to use 'compostable' takeout containers. But a new study suggests some of these supposedly eco-friendly containers may pose hazards to our health and the environment.
Many Canadians like to tell 'white lies' about home-cooked meals: survey
Have you ever had to lie about the quality of a home-cooked meal to protect someone's feelings? According to a new survey by Research Co. you’re not the only one.
Victim of Vancouver stabbing had asked man not to vape near toddler, says grieving mom
The family of a 37-year-old man who was stabbed to death in Vancouver last weekend says he was attacked after asking someone not to vape near his young daughter.
From royal titles to animal testing: The law changes coming in the budget bill
The 2023 federal budget released this week includes a series of affordability measures, tax changes, and major spends on health care and the clean economy. But, tucked into the 255-page document are a series of smaller items you may have missed.