Cobb County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia has deployed the country's first all-electric prison transport van, according to its Fleet Services Director Al Curtis. The van, made by Envirotech Vehicles, is a 2022 cutaway/logistics van with a prisoner transport upfit. It can travel approximately 170 miles on a full battery charge.

From Envirotech’s website, the features include:

• Michelin low-rolling-resistance tires

• A top speed of 63 mph.

• Peak power of 120 kW.

• Torque power of 575 lb/ft.

According to Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, its transport vehicles travel around 24,000 miles a year. By transitioning to an electric van from a diesel-fueled one, the county is expected to save around $40,000 in the first three years of ownership.

Cobb County Embracing Electrification

This is not the first electric vehicle for Cobb County Sheriff’s Office. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Cobb County wants to help lead the southeast by example in spreading the message of environmental and energy sustainability. The county goes by the motto, “Take big steps to make a smaller carbon footprint.”

Curtis stated that the fleet is dedicated to becoming an ambassador for clean energy deployment and reducing foreign oil consumption.

In fact, the fleet already has multiple electric vehicles (EVs) deployed. When it came to deploying the electric transport van, multiple level-two EV chargers were already in place and ready to charge the new vehicle.

Curtis also added, “As an early adopter of EVs, our departments were very familiar with our electrification movement. We have had nothing but positive feedback from the deputies that use the van daily. They like that it is quieter than an ICE engine vehicle and overall, like it.”

As for working with Envirotech, Curtis said they’ve “been an excellent partner. They have adjusted to any changes needed during the transition.”

The Fleet’s Next Steps

The electric transport van is not the first EV and won’t be the last. The fleet services director has several next steps planned out to continue its electrification journey to spreading its environmental and energy sustainability message.

According to Curtis, some of these plans include:

• Continue transitioning to low-carbon alternative fuels.

• Continue to grow the fleet with EVs and a charging infrastructure.

• Implement rightsizing and no-idle policies.

• Continue installing telematics to monitor vehicles.