Dewey police department unveils electric trucks
The Dewey Beach Police Department received its first grant-funded electric truck June 26, and the second one is anticipated soon, said Chief Constance Speake.
Speake applied for the Energize Delaware grant in September, and the organization awarded $146,000 in funding to enable the purchase of two Ford F-150 Lightning all-electric trucks. A $5,000 grant secured through Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control funded two charging stations.
Sgt. Colin Schmidt has been assigned the first truck, which was just outfitted with lights and other equipment, and painted with the department’s markings. The second truck will go to Lt. Cliff Dempsey once it is outfitted, Speake said, and another officer will inherit Dempsey’s vehicle.
In return for the grant funding, Speake said the department must submit a yearly report detailing the truck’s use, which may include mileage and electric usage.
Speake said she plans to apply for additional grants for more electric vehicles if the opportunity arises.
