Detroit Auto Show: What's going on with GEM?
Electric vehicles have been generating ink in many directions, from the high-end sports cars like Tesla to the futuristic Venturi Eclectic. The grass-roots popularity of "Who Killed the Electric Car" has prompted many eco-motorists to simply build their own at home.
Through it all, Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) continues to be the best-selling electric car in the country. Company officials, however, are aware that the NEV movement is bringing more players into the market. ZENN Motor Company and Miles Automotive Group have introduced NEVs that look more like subcompact cars.
"That may hurt 'em in the long run," said Larry Oswald, GEM's chief executive. "Other people on think they're regular cars and don't realize they can't go more than 25 mph."
The car-like styling isn't the main concern at GEM, which is owned by DaimlerChrysler; it's competing against inferior Chinese imports that rely on copying technology, not innovation. But GEM is committed to improving the amenities, styling and utility of its vehicles.
For 2007, a new steering system reduces the turning effort by 36 percent as well as the turning diameter. Also recently introduced is the eL XD, a tougher version of the eL utility flatbed that now boasts a 1,430-pound payload. The XD comes with nine 8-volt maintenance-free gel batteries compared to the six 12-volt packages found in most of the other models. The e6, GEM's 6-passenger model, can also be ordered with the gel batteries.
Check out the gallery of vehicles shown at the Detroit Auto show. The e2, e4 and e6 are designed to carry people while the eS, EL and eL XD are for hauling cargo.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
S Henley 12:28AM (3/30/2008)
How can I trial one in Australia? This looks to be a brilliant idea for local city running
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DeWayne 10:47AM (5/22/2008)
While an electric vehicle may be great for making a tree-hugger feel good about themselves, most of what I'm seeing are glorified golf carts and serve no practical purpose in the real world. As the owner of a small, struggling business that relies heavily on our gas sucking truck to provide service and is reeling under the staggering fuel cost increases, I need a vehicle that is 1)affordable, 2)capable of transporting the tools and cargo we need (like a van), and 3)capable of more than a 25 MPH top speed and 30 - 50 mile range. It's time to get serious about this and stop with the itty-bitty golf cart mentality where EV's are concerned. Given it's been almost 40 years since the first Arab Oil Embargo, there's no excuse for the lack of progress.
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Andrew 6:27AM (7/14/2009)
DeWayne, Don't know whether you're willing to jump through the legislative hoops to achieve this but vehicles meeting your operational requirements are available in the UK.
Smiths Electric Vehicles produce mainly electric conversions of new Ford vehicles and MODEC produce a purpose built electric truck that looks stunning!
Hope this helps
Andrew
Tim 10:43AM (1/14/2007)
Although I love the idea of NEVs, people who don’t live in gated communities need to be able to “take the highway” even for short local hops. In most areas it’s ILLEAGAL to go less than 10 miles under the posted speed for safety reasons and most commutes contain sections that are posted over 35MPH. It would take strict legislation for the NEVs to really make in impact. The Public Policy would have to be something like… “Internal Combustion engines are forbidden within the city limits. People must use zero emission vehicles (ZEV), walk, bike, or take public transportation when traveling within the city.” People could park their "highway IC engine cars" outside of the city limits, or rent one when traveling. I love this idea, however legislators and voters won't have the courage or conviction to make this happen without being forced to by a full long-tem mid-east fuel embargo. Not even the greenies. By then, it will be too late to matter. Other than that, NEVs just make electric cars as a category look like expensive golf cart jokes. If you want something for the farm, how about a Bad Boy Buggie SUV. http://www.badboybuggies.com/ They are much less expensive! I'm hoping that GM follows through with E-Flex quickly. Hope springs eternal. So does pessimism.
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Ken James 9:21PM (11/22/2007)
I live in foothill community of Palmer Lake,CO. I commute to neigboring community of Monument for work five days per week. Apx.2 miles is posted at 45/50 mph speed limit but could travel safely at 35mph. Teh rest of the 2-3miles is posted under 30mph. Route is all paved with only gentle grades. I would love to test one of these vehicles. Single or dual passenger with or without utility function. Would have minimum 30'plug in distance. Please advise.
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