The Bellevue Police Department has added a new, green mode of transportation to its fleet.

Officers for the department's downtown unit debuted the T3 Motion Law Enforcement vehicle. The "chariot-like" vehicle runs on electricity rather than gas, and the $13,166 machine was donated by the Bellevue Police Foundation.

Though the chariot has only been in operation for a week, officers area already seeing the benefit.

"We can weave and turn from roads to sidewalk to get to calls faster than patrol cars," said Officer My Tran of the downtown unit.

Tran said the congestion downtown makes the new vehicle more efficient than patrol cars, which can get stuck in traffic during a call. For officers on foot or bike, they can get to the calls quickly as well, but the exertion of running or pedaling a long distance could limit their effectiveness in certain situations.

The T3 has few limits in terms of terrain. It traverses the roads and sidewalks with ease, and it can go off road to cut through parks or trails, if needed.

Tran enjoys the ability to engage people more in the vehicle. In a patrol car, officers aren't as accessible, and they can't hear what's going around them.

The T3 is a clean energy, no emissions, 100 percent electric transportation system. It was first deployed for service last Thursday and already has 100 miles logged on it.

Weighing in at about 300 pounds, the T3 is a three-wheel, chariot-like vehicle with a carrying capacity of 450 pounds. It boasts a zero degree turning radius, runs 18 mph maximum speed, and is good for a 10-hour shift or longer before re-charging the battery. This T3 Motion is fully loaded with red and blue police lights and siren.

“People see us on it and stop us. They are curious and think it’s cool," said Downtown Squad Corporal Gary Cook.