The town of Middleborough unveiled its first electric cars last week — four leased plug-in vehicles that will be used by the police, fire, and building departments and to deliver Meals on Wheels by the Council on Aging.

The town also is installing charging stations, including one at Middleborough Town Hall that will be open to the public during business hours and free.

The majority of the cost will be reimbursed by the state, said Evan Melillo, assistant to the town manager. He estimated that each vehicle also would save the town more than $5,000 in fuel costs over three years, compared with the cars they are replacing.

“While these vehicles are certainly economically responsible, it is also important to note that they are very environmentally responsible,’’ Melillo said in a press release. He said a gas-powered car would have to get 86 miles per gallon to emit the equivalent amount of pollution as the new plug-ins.

Melillo said detectives in the Police Department would use one Chevrolet Volt for non-chase duties, and the Fire Department would use another Volt for code enforcement. The building department would use a third Volt for inspectional services, he said.

Each Volt replaces an older Crown Victoria, which got 19 miles per gallon when new, he said. The Volts get 106 miles per gallon on electricity and 42 miles per gallon when running with their gas hybrid engines, he said.

The Council on Aging will use the blue Nissan Leaf for Meals on Wheels deliveries and other programs.

Melillo said the town plans to lease three more electric vehicles, as well as install another public charging station at the Jackson Street parking lot behind the police station.

“The Town of Middleborough is very pleased to present these forward-looking, sustainable vehicles and charging infrastructure to the public,’’ he said.

Johanna Seltz can be reached at seltzjohanna@gmail.com.