If Fire Chief Jeff Rowe were headed to Bangor, or somewhere out of state for a conference, he would likely know the most efficient way to get there. He might not know where the charging stations were though, should he need one, for the new Tesla 3 command vehicle.
He could soon find out, by using the car’s GPS, which not only plots the course, but also marks the charging stations — and how long he would have to be there for the charge to complete.
The new command vehicle arrived March 30, and so far, Rowe has been pleased with its performance. While some people raise their eyebrows when they hear the word Tesla, imagining a price tag with lots of zeros included, the Tesla 3 all-wheel drive purchased by the town cost taxpayers about $41,500 — which includes a $7,500 rebate from Efficiency Maine.
The fire chief had intended to buy a Chevrolet Tahoe — but was were having trouble locating one that matched specifications, and after exploring the Tesla further, and considering the town’s commitment to energy efficiency, Rowe asked the Select Board to approve the Tesla 3 in February, which they did.