13 March 2010

Search

Poll

News Categories

Show categories | Hide categories

Pages

Show pages | Hide pages

GEM e2, GEM e4 and GEM e6- electric cars

Vehicles that have been used by NASA, the US Army and various police forces around the world are sure to earn recognition – and the futuristic appeal of the GEM e2 and GEM e4 vehicles are as head-turning as they are ground-breaking. GEM offers several passenger vehicles for private ownership, which we’ll examine in this guide.

History of the GEM e2, GEM e4 and GEM e6

GEM, standing for Global Electric Motorcars, was established in Fargo, North Dakota in April 1998. It is a Chrysler company that first manufactured a 48V vehicle for two passengers with a top speed of 20mph.

Since then it has progressed significantly and more than 40,000 GEM vehicles have been sold worldwide since 1998, with its latest designs including the GEM e2, GEM e4 and GEM e6 now available in the UK.

The e2 is a two-passenger vehicle made for short journeys that are made on a daily basis. It features standard six 12V flooded electrolyte batteries that can produce a powerful range up to 35 miles and a top speed of 25mph. It has an eye-catching appearance and is available in an extensive number of colours including metallic green, black, blue and silver.

The GEM e4 takes the same features to a new level within a four-seater that make it ideal for visiting family and friends or even just recreational driving. As well as the standard six 12V flooded electrolyte batteries that can be found on the e2, the e4 also includes a sunroof and a range of up to 30 miles on a single charge.

The e6 is a six-passenger vehicle with a driving range of up to 40 miles if bought with the “S” Package. The GEM e6 also offers many standard features including six 12-volt maintenance-free gel batteries, a 7.0 hp motor, sunroof, scuff guards, right hand mirror, mud guards and grab handles all to provide convenience. Visit the Standard Features section to learn more about the features that make the GEM e6 an extraordinary vehicle.

Environmental credentials of the GEM e2, GEM e4 and GEM e6

As part of the Chrysler group, alongside Jeep and Dodge, GEM has brought electric cars to the American market where they were previously inconsequential. Now with growing demand for alternative fuel vehicles as petrol prices grow the GEM e2 ,e4 and e6 are well-positioned to grab a share of the market.

Their benefits to UK drivers are apparent through a number of financial incentives such as the relief from vehicle excise duty and the London Congestion Charge. The GEM e2 and GEM e4 are best-suited to city driving conditions where their zero emissions can help drive down pollution.The GEM e6 makes for a more family friendly option. GEM cars cost less than a penny a mile to run, compared to 17p a mile on a 1.0l petrol city car according to the AA.

The carbon neutrality of electric cars has been called into question because they still rely on a non-renewable power source to supply the vehicles’ energy. However, energy generation is increasingly emerging from non-renewable sources and even with the current energy mix, the likes of the GEM cars can still drastically reduce emissions.