GEM represents a relatively new transportation option for short distance and low-speed trips, called neighborhood electric vehicles, or NEVs, including by the U.S. military and government agencies for transporting military personnel and equipment worldwide.

NEVs are designated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for roads that are 35 mph or less and must meet certain safety criteria, such as having safety belts, headlamps, windshield wipers, and safety glass. These features are standard on all six models of GEM vehicles.

Located in Fargo, North Dakota, GEM is a Chrysler company founded in 1998 that manufactures and distributes battery-electric neighborhood electric vehicles. All our GEM vehicles are assembled at our plant in Fargo, primarily with U.S. supplier components.

We currently have approximately 36,000 GEM cars on the road in the U.S. and another 1,000 worldwide.

GEMs are street legal in 40 states and our customers have driven their GEMs 200 million miles, thereby saving over 10 million gallons of gasoline and 150 tons of tailpipe emissions from reaching the air.

A GEM vehicle has eight times greater fuel efficiency than that of a gasoline-powered vehicle - a combustion-powered vehicle would have to have a fuel economy of 153 mpg to have the same efficiency as a GEM vehicle.

An economical option, GEM cars are about one-third the cost of gas-powered vehicles to operate.

In addition to being used by the U.S. military, GEM cars are currently in use on college and university campuses, in cities and master planned communities, on industrial complexes and resorts, and by security companies and airports across the United States and throughout the world.

GEM and the U.S. Military

All branches of the U.S. military have purchased GEM vehicles as a solution for compliance with federal regulations regarding the purchase and use of alternative fuels vehicles (AFV’s) and zero-emission vehicles (ZEV’s). This includes many Army installations worldwide.

Some of these regulations include the Energy Policy Act. National Defense Authorization Act, Greening the Government Through Federal Fleet and Transportation Efficiency (#13149), Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act, and the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Military bases, garrisons, and installations find that GEM battery-electric vehicles serve a variety of base transportation needs while achieving the 20% fuel reduction directive.

GEM battery-electric vehicles have a top speed of 25 mph, and a range of up to 30 miles on a charge. GEM vehicles operate on a 72-volt battery system and plug into a standard 110-volt outlet.

There are six models of GEM cars available: the GEM e2 two-passenger, the GEM e4 four-passenger, the GEM e6 six-passenger, the GEM eS two-passenger with a short-back bed, the GEM eL two-passenger with a long-back bed, and the GEM eL XD two-passenger extra duty with a long-back bed. Each GEM model meets and exceeds all federal safety regulations for low-speed vehicles and is thoroughly tested at the Chrysler Automotive Proving Grounds for quality and endurance. GEM’s design offers 47 to 109 cubic feet of cab space depending on vehicle model.

The 2008 GEM models feature a heavy-duty DC motor with a continuous 5 horsepower rating and a 12 horsepower peak during acceleration and hill climbing. The GEM e6 and the GEM eL XD come equipped with a 7.0 horsepower motor. Also, the 7.0 horsepower performance package can be added to the GEM e2, GEM e4, GEM eS, or the GEM eL for more demanding applications.

Each GEM model comes equipped with an onboard charger. This charger allows you to recharge your vehicle by plugging into any standard 110-volt outlet, no matter where you are. A fast charger is also available that can fully charge any GEM passenger or utility vehicle in less than one hour. A charging port is installed in the vehicle and a special charging station can be placed at your base or other location.

Your GEM vehicle comes with a 12-month limited warranty and optional extended warranty choices for 12 or 24 months through authorized GEM dealerships across the country. Your warranty program includes protection against major mechanical breakdowns, 24-hour roadside assistance and towing services.

Global Electric Motorcars, LLC will repair or replace, at its option, all GEM parts found faulty in material and/or workmanship, under normal use, maintenance and service, with genuine GEM parts without charge for parts and labor by any authorized GEM dealer or service provider during the warranty coverage period.

GEM Leadership

Larry Oswald is Chief Executive Officer and Richard Kasper is President and Chief Operating Officer of Global Electric Motorcars. A profile of Mr. Kasper can be found in IA Times.