Staff Photo by Helen Ravenel

Councilman Pat O’Neil, Councilman Everett Presson, Police Chief Danny Howard (in the E-Merge), Mayor Carl Smith and Councilman Mike Perkis are shown with the S.I.P.D.’s crime-fighting machine.

Staff Photo by Helen Ravenel

Sullivan’s Island Police Chief Danny Howard takes the E-merge for a test drive last Thursday.

Staff Photo by Helen Ravenel

Darren Botticelli of the Sullivan’s Island Police Department checks out the features of the department’s newest crime-fighting vehicle.

Last Thursday the police department unveiled their newest crime-fighting vehicle, a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV).

Donated by Palmetto Custom Carts and EcoSense Global Rentals, the Tomberlin E-Merge gives the police department an electric car that is ‘street legal,’ equipped with lights, seat belts and proper safety equipment.

Erick Boyance,  president of Palmetto Custom Carts, said he was happy to help the Sullivan’s Island Police Department ‘go green.’

“By donating the E-Merge, we are hoping to bring a good tool for bringing the police department in close contact with the community. We are also helping prompt the residents to ‘go green,’ Boyance said.

The E-Merge has a top speed of 25 mph and a range of over 30 miles. The vehicle has an onboard charger and a 110v socket is all that is needed to charge the vehicle.

Sullivan’s Island Police Chief Danny Howard said, “We’re excited about the new E-Merge for our force.”

Chief Howard said that the vehicle will be used to get the officers around in an area that is closer to the people - where noise is normally an issue.

He explained that there are so many golf carts on the island,  “It makes sense to get on the same level as others.”

“Donating the LSV to the police just makes sense,” said Hal Martens of EcoSense Global Rentals.  “The force wants to expand their effort towards going green and our new E-Merge lets the officers drive an electric vehicle around the clock.”

According to Batt Humphreys, marketing director of Tomberlin Industries, the Tomberlin E-Merge gives an affordable electric vehicle to use in communities.

 (Helen Ravenel can be reached at helen@moultrienews.com. Comment on this story online at www.moultrienews.com.)