The Polaris GEM was purchased by the Fort Dodge City Council in September.

Fort Dodge Police Chief Roger Porter said the purchase was necessary because the city’s old parking enforcement vehicle, a three-wheeled Go-4 Cushman, needed to be replaced.

“The current vehicle is in ill repair and has needed to be replaced for quite some time,” Porter said.

He added that the new vehicle, which started patrolling the streets on Tuesday, was built to accomodate the driver on the right-hand side, making enforcement easier, as vehicles are parked on the right side.

The four-wheeled vehicle isn’t too much different than the previous one, according to Porter.

“There’s a heater inside, the doors are fully-operational doors,” he said. “In the summertime, you can remove the doors from the sides for ventilation. There’s a little trunk area for equipment, needed equipment for meter repairs and change collection and other job duties.”

But perhaps the biggest difference between the two vehicles is that the new vehicle is electric.

The previous vehicle was gasoline powered.

“We’re kind of going green there a little bit,” Porter said. “It’ll save money on gas.”

The difference in price was also noticeable.

Porter said when the Cushman was purchased 10 years ago, it cost $25,000.

The GEM cost $16,000.

“The Polaris GEM was actually a cost-savings,” he said. “It was a little over $16,000 as opposed to the $25,000, so we saved some money there.”

The parking enforcement vehicle is used Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

So far, Porter said the parking enforcement officers have enjoyed the new vehicle.

“They’re liking it,” he said. “There’s a couple different things they’re getting used to that are a little bit different…but it’s just a matter of getting used to it.”