Walkerton Police Department unveils new electric police vehicle

WALKERTON, Ind. -- The Walkerton Police Chief Matt Schalliol and representative with the Michiana Area Council of Governments unveiled the Walkerton Police Department's new pursuit-capable electric law enforcement vehicle at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday.

Walkerton was awarded $72,062 for the vehicle and fleet charging through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program through the Indiana Office of Energy Development, officials said.

Officials say the town also committed up to $16,000 towards the cost of upfitting.

WPD says the new Chevy Blazer EV has just under 500 horsepower, with acceleration from to 60 miles per hour in 5.08 seconds, and a range of 297 miles with all-wheel drive.

“The Walkerton Police Department has always pursued the latest and greatest technology available to Law Enforcement. With the inception of the new Chevy Blazer EV, the first true pursuit rated EV Police Vehicle, we just knew we had to take that next step. The potential savings in fuel cost, along with being more environmentally friendly, just seemed like the right way to go with a new vehicle. The new Chevy Blazer EV has only been in service for about a week, so it’s too soon to comment on savings just yet,” said Schalliol.

Officials say the project was part of a larger MACOG electric vehicle pilot cohort, developed after test drive events hosted in partnership with The Tire Rack headquarters in South Bend.