By Chris Frost
EAGLE TIMES NEWS EDITOR
Claremont is expected to be the first city in the northeast with an electric Ford F-150 pickup.
At its June 28 meeting, the Claremont City Council accepted a fully electric 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Pickup donated by Ford of Claremont. Councilor William Limoges read the motion, which Councilor Nicholas Koloski seconded.
Police Chief Brent Wilmont acknowledged Christian Gomes of Ford of Claremont and said the dealership has a history of donating vehicles.
“This will be the fourth vehicle he has donated in as many years,” Wilmont said. “Previously, Mr. Gomes has donated a 2021 Harley Davidson Motorcycle, a 2021 Ford Police Interceptor Hybrid and a 2024 Police Interceptor SUV.”
Wilmont said the Claremont Police Department would be the first department in the Northeast to operate a fully electric 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Pickup and will be included in a Ford media campaign. “We are anticipating a media event in late July,” he said.
The hot electric truck currently has a three-month waitlist despite Ford boosting production at its Dearborn, Michigan, Rouge Electric Vehicle Center.
The truck has a Whelen Emergency Lighting Package and a Webasto 32-amp charging package. The total vehicle cost is $60,000.
Wilmont said the new vehicle would save the department money since it’s all-electric. It will also be quiet and environmentally friendly with a diverse set of vehicle options if used on patrol.
“There would be some additional costs if we accept this donation,” he said. “We would have to install the 32-amp Webasto Charger. We would hire an electrician and contract with the firm that typically does work at City Hall.”
He said installing the charging station would cost the City less than $5,000, and lettering the truck would cost less than $700. “Those costs can be absorbed in my Fiscal Year 2023 Budget,” Wilmont said.
“This vehicle will not augment our fleet. It will replace the vehicle that will remain but is very tired and spends the majority of its time at the shop,” he said.
The councilors thanked Gomes for his generous donation and continued support of the Claremont Police Department.
The department is also waiting to take delivery on four new Dodge Durango SUVs being outfitted at a company in Connecticut.
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