AutoblogGreen

GM will no longer give money to climate-change-denying Heartland Institute

Sebastian Blanco — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:07:00 EST

10,000 General Motors owners can make an impact.

After being confronted with a petition against the money that the GM Foundation gave to the Heartland Institute - known as one of the biggest funders of climate change denial - following an exposé on DeSmogBlog, CEO Dan Akerson said earlier this month that he would review the situation. Based on a press release put out by the group that organized the petition, Forecast the Facts, today, it appears that GM will no longer give the Heartland Institute any money. In 2011, the GM Foundation gave $15,000.

Forecast the Facts' petition was signed by over 20,000 people, including 10,000 who own or owned a GM vehicle. Following the announcement, Forecast the Facts campaign director, Daniel Souweine, said in a statement, that, "We applaud GM's decision and the message it sends: that it is no longer acceptable for corporations to promote the denial of climate change, and that support for an organization like Heartland is not in line with GM's values."

Continue reading GM will no longer give money to climate-change-denying Heartland Institute

GM will no longer give money to climate-change-denying Heartland Institute originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaris buying low-speed electric car maker GEM from Chrysler

Eric Loveday — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:52:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, GEM, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

Polaris Industries will acquire low-speed electric vehicle manufacturer Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chrysler for an undisclosed amount. All Chrysler would tell us is that, "It's a confidential number."

Currently, GEM manufactures six street-legal models; well, they're legal on roads with posted speeds of 35 miles per hour or less. To date, GEM says its vehicles have tallied more than 450 million emission-free miles.

GEM is widely recognized as a leader in the neighborhood electric vehicle market, with approximately $30 million in total sales in 2010. Since being established in 1998, GEM has placed more than 45,000 battery-powered vehicles on streets worldwide. GEM vehicle are typically used by local, state and national government agencies and on closed campuses like resorts and universities. Scott Wine, Polaris' chief executive officer, said of the acquisition:

GEM provides Polaris with an established position in the low-emission small vehicle market and supports Polaris' strategy of penetrating on-road market segments poised for growth. We are excited about the outlook for growth within this market space, and are looking forward to developing even stronger growth prospects for the GEM business.

The agreement to acquire GEM should be finalized within the next 60 days. During this interim period, operations at GEM will proceed as usual. With annual 2010 sales of $2 billion, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiles and Victory motorcycles.

[Source: Polaris]

Continue reading Polaris buying low-speed electric car maker GEM from Chrysler

Polaris buying low-speed electric car maker GEM from Chrysler originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More GEMs on the horizon: Chrysler offers new 2011 low-speed electric vehicle options

Sebastian Blanco — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, GEM, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

The last time we heard about GEM, the news wasn't good. In fact, the electric vehicle announcements from Chrysler haven't been all that positive for a while now, but that doesn't mean it will always be so. In fact, Chrysler announced today that the its wholly-owned subsidiary Global Electric Motorcars (GEM - not GreenEcoMobility, as once proposed) line-up of low-speed electric vehicles (aka NEVs) is back and better than ever.

The 2011 GEMs can have a new energy monitoring system and four new optional accessories, including 12-inch turf tires, right-hand drive, a short-bed package and utility tie downs. What, were you hoping for wireless iPhone charging? GEMs don't ever get that fancy, and even so there are over 45,000 of them on the road today.

The energy monitoring system is pretty neat, as it shows exactly how much energy (in kilowatt-hours) the GEM pulled from the socket. That way, you can double-check to see if Chrysler's stated two cents per mile cost of operation is accurate for you.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading More GEMs on the horizon: Chrysler offers new 2011 low-speed electric vehicle options

More GEMs on the horizon: Chrysler offers new 2011 low-speed electric vehicle options originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIP: GEM Peapod, NEV apparently a victim of Chrysler bankruptcy

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:44:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, Fiat, GEM, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

Peapod - Click above for high-res image gallery

When the old pre-bankruptcy Chrysler unveiled a lineup of electric vehicles in September 2008, one of the vehicles was a low-speed neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) dubbed the Peapod that was supposed to go on sale by late 2009. It now appears that the Peapod, which was to be based on the existing GEM NEV, is history. As we learned in November 2009 when Chrysler announced its future business plan, the automaker drastically cut back its electric vehicle plans based on poor sales expectations. The Peapod was to have eventually spawned a new, full-speed electric commuter car. However, Chrysler and Fiat have now instead opted to build an electric version of the Fiat 500. After realizing what would need to be done to transform the Peapod to meet federal safety standards, it probably became apparent that converting an existing platform would make more sense.

The assets of the old GEM, which was wholly owned by Chrysler, were left behind with the rest of the old Chrysler in bankruptcy court for disposal. The new GEM will now focus on the existing low-speed electric vehicles instead. The designer of the Peapod, Peter Arnell, may still pursue building an EV although if he does it will be a full-speed type like the Nissan Leaf rather than an NEV.

Gallery: PeaPod

[Source: Green Car Advisor]

RIP: GEM Peapod, NEV apparently a victim of Chrysler bankruptcy originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AVFI 2010: Ford, GEM win Industry Excellence Awards

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:27:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Ford, GEM

Peapod - Click above for high-res image gallery

What does one do with the "There's a Ford In Your Future Award" except give it to Ford Motor Company? Nothing, that's what, but it's an example of how the organizers of the AFVI Expo in Las Vegas had a bit of fun with the AFVI's Industry Excellence Awards this morning, handing them out electric vehicle evangelists, school districts and, yes, Ford. The criteria for the award was an individual (or organization) that has "advanced the use of alternative fuels, vehicles or advanced technologies resulting in clean alternatives to petroleum." Who walked away a winner? These people/groups:

GEM, which has put over 40,000 neighborhood electric vehicles on the road over the last 12 years. While impressive, we're still waiting for some sort of status update on the Peapod (above).
Robert White, the director of market development for the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), won the "24/7 Blend Award" for teaching the industry about social media. Oh, and for getting a $1.6 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to train Clean Cities Coalitions and their stakeholders about said social media.
Napa Valley Unified School District Transportation Director Ralph Knight, who has been pushing for electric school buses since 1997 and has the only plug-in hybrid school bus in California. Knight won the "Magic School Bus Award."

Find the other winners after the jump.

[Source: AFVI]

Continue reading AVFI 2010: Ford, GEM win Industry Excellence Awards

AVFI 2010: Ford, GEM win Industry Excellence Awards originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 11 May 2010 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler pushing to dramatically cut GEM dealer network

Sebastian Blanco — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:44:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, GEM, Green Daily, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

GEM Peapod - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler has made a big deal in the past about its long history selling GEM electric cars, and there are tens of thousands of them on the roads today. Of course, the EVs that Chrysler has been selling since 2000 (when DaimlerChrysler purchased GEM) are all NEVs - expensive, slow electric vehicles that aren't selling well these days. With Chrysler's recent emergence from bankruptcy, the company is still looking to cut losses wherever possible. Letting some GEM dealers go is one option.

Last month, Chrysler axed almost 800 Chrysler dealerships. According to a U.S. Bankruptcy Court filing, the company now wants to eliminate 64 of 150 low-performing GEM dealers as well. Chrysler attorney Corinne Ball wrote in the filing that Chrysler has "determined that the GEM dealership agreements are neither necessary nor valuable to their estates and should be rejected."

The newest addition to the GEM lineup was to be the Peapod (pictured), but Chrysler announced recently that it would release this car under its own brand name, Peapod Mobility.

Gallery: GEM Peapod

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Chrysler pushing to dramatically cut GEM dealer network originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Peapod Mobility neighborhood electric vehicle

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, GEM, Green Daily, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

Peapod NEV - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Last week at the New York Auto Show, we got the chance to visit Peapod Mobility, the Chrysler-owned maker of neighborhood electric vehicles, or NEVs. As such, the Peapod is capable of hitting speeds of up to 25 miles per hour and has a range of about 30 miles after a full charge that takes between 6 and 8 hours. Of course, those kinds of specifications are available from a number of NEV manufacturers, but none of them have quite the same sense of style as the Peapod. Whether you love it or hate it, the Peapod definitely stands apart from the crowd due to its happy-go-lucky styling.

The guys behind Peapod Mobility took the time to send us a new set of photos taken of the little EV while it was out and about in The Big Apple. There are quite a few interesting detail shots in the bunch, so be sure to check out our full gallery below.

Gallery: Peapod detail shots

[Source: Peapod Mobility]

Pics Aplenty: Peapod Mobility neighborhood electric vehicle originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peapod, up close and personal with the electric vehicle in Manhattan

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, GEM, New York Auto Show, Green Daily, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

Peapod - click above for a high res gallery

Breaking away from the ~~excitement~~ free food here at the New York Auto Show today, we joined up with our friends over at Engadget to pay a quick visit to Peapod Mobility. You know, the GEM version 2 folks. While saying this is the next-generation GEM is technically correct, the Peapod is really a fresh concept for Chrysler (which owns GEM and made Peapod Mobility its own company earlier this year).

Peter Arnell, the chief innovation officer at Peapod Mobility, took us on a quick descriptive tour of the Peapod and said that the design was influenced by three things. Ready for the list? The reflection in Buzz Aldrin's helmet when he stepped onto the moon, a turtle and Darth Vader. Yeah, that's what we thought, too. Find our more about the Peapod after the jump.

Gallery: PeaPod

Continue reading Peapod, up close and personal with the electric vehicle in Manhattan

Peapod, up close and personal with the electric vehicle in Manhattan originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What is a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV)?

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, American Electric Vehicle, GEM, ZENN, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), Greenlings

We all want electric vehicles that we can afford. Unfortunately the only full function electric car "available on the market" in the United States right now is the Tesla Roadster. However even before car loans became hard to get, the Roadster was largely unaffordable. So, what other options are there? For now at least the only option is the neighborhood electric vehicle, also known as NEVs.

These are not exactly full function vehicles. In fact, most NEVs are considered little more than glorified golf carts. By law in the United States, NEVs are limited to no more than 25 mph (although a few locations are looking to increase that to 35 mph). NEVs are covered by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 500 which limits the maximum loaded weight to 3,000 lbs. According to FMVSS 500, an NEV has to be able to get to 20 mph within 1 mile, must have head and tail lights and a windshield, among other things. Learn more about NEVs after the jump.

Gallery: AFVI 2008: GEM's new cargo options

Continue reading What is a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV)?

What is a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV)? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peapod now out on its own. Will it find love?

Domenick Yoney — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:04:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, GEM, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), USA

Click above for a high res gallery of the Peapod

Remember back in September when we told you that Chrysler's GEM division was going to change up its name (but keep the acronym) and be called GreenEcoMobility as it moved forward with the addition of the Peapod to its lineup. Well, scratch all that. Sometime between now and then there was a script rewrite. The new plan keeps GEM the same and creates a new wholly-owned-by-Chrysler company that will market the Peapod and its upcoming offspring under the name Peapod Mobility. We know they're serious this time because they sprung for a shiny new website.

So now that the smiley-faced neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) is out on its own in the big world, will it find the love it needs to survive or will it shuffle off this mortal coil before having the chance to fulfill its aspirations. It has dreams of proliferating and adding a two seater, called the Twinpod, as well as a mini-pickup and van to the range in a little over a year. One day, it even wants its own "real cars." To make that happen, it's going to have to find a place in the heart of those in need of a cute (or evil, depending on your point of view) iPod-centered car that can only travel 30 miles, tops out at 25 mph and costs $12,500. The sales period between the official Earth Day launch and the Labor Day delivery target will be telling.

Gallery: GEMs Peapod

[Source: ADWEEK]

Peapod now out on its own. Will it find love? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GEM electric cars will serving as shuttles during tonight's Green Inaugural Ball

Sebastian Blanco — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 17:54:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, GEM, Green Daily

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Fireball GEM

The most common electric cars in America, GEM NEVs, will serve as shuttle vehicles for VIPs during tonight's "Green Inaugural Ball." The ball is part of this weekend's celebrations of Barack Obama's upcoming swearing in as the 44th president of the United States. Six-seat e6 GEM vehicles, courtesy of e-Cruzers, will be used to move people around while a smaller e4 (guess how many people fit inside) will be on display inside the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, where the ball is taking place. The e4 comes from the Pohanka Chrysler Dodge dealer. If you're not a GEM-worthy VIP, event organizers reminds attendees that, the auditorium "is conveniently located half a block away from a Metro Station, Event Emissary is urging Ball attendees to take advantage of the city's public transportation on celebration night." I suppose if John McCain (remember him?) wants to ride in a battery-powered car this weekend, he can do so in one of his three GEMs.

[Source: GEM]

Continue reading GEM electric cars will serving as shuttles during tonight's Green Inaugural Ball

GEM electric cars will serving as shuttles during tonight's Green Inaugural Ball originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 17 Jan 2009 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Army gets 6 electric vehicles, thousands more to come

Domenick Yoney — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:24:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, GEM, USA

Although one base in Germany may not have been satisfied with their GEM experience, that is not keeping the Army from going forward with their previously-announced plan to introduce thousands of electric vehicles to its American garrisons. To kick off the "Army Green, Army Strong" program, delivery has been taken of the first six EVs with 3,994 left to go. The vehicles will be leased over the next three years from different manufacturers and are projected to save 11.5 million gallons of fuel.

According to Paul Bollinger, the deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Energy and Partnerships, the government institution's interest in electric vehicles doesn't end with this program. He says, "This is the first part of showing the industry that we are serious about electric vehicles and that we are going to buy more." We certainly hope so and look forward to to seeing the Army replace all of its 28,000 sedans with more energy efficient vehicles.

[Source: Army Times]

Army gets 6 electric vehicles, thousands more to come originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mystery GEM based EV spotted being prepared for Detroit show

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:23:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Detroit Auto Show, GEM

It's now less than 24 hours until the first press conferences begin at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and we'll be there in full force with Sebastian and myself joining a contingent of the Autoblog team at Cobo Hall. However, just like kids waiting to open their Christmas presents, we can't wait and we're always snooping around for hints. The latest comes to us courtesy of Kicking Tires and the photo above. Apparently an electric vehicle is being unloaded for the auto show and its based on an existing vehicle already on sale here. Given the type of truck this is clearly not a full size vehicle and a close look at the photo reveals its probable origins. The visible part of the vehicle looks like a GEM NEV. Whether this is an updated GEM or a modified version produced by some other company is unknown. Either way we'll be searching it out in the darkest corners of Cobo Hall.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Mystery GEM based EV spotted being prepared for Detroit show originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All new cars in California now carry smog, global warming scores

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:17:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Legislation and Policy, GEM

Since the beginning of the year, all 2009 model year vehicles (and anything newer, once they're available) sold in California will be sporting a new sticker. No, not the kind that makes your car worth $4,000 more but the kind that describes the vehicle's global warming and smog scores. Just look under the hood of that new car (if you're the unusual kind of person who's still out there car shopping) and you'll see it, courtesy of the California Air Resources Board. As some of you pointed out in the summer when we first got word of these new stickers, the 1-10 rating scale is somewhat counter-intuitive. A higher score means the car is cleaner/better. An average car, CARB says, will get a five. The best of the best, right now, is the GEM, which gets two 10s. That "perfect" rating means that the vehicle emits less than 200 grams of CO₂-equivalent per mile. A score of one means the car spits out more than 520 grams over the same distance. Cars like the Honda Civic hybrid and the Prius score nines.

Gallery: LA 2008: Fireballed GEM

[Source: Environment News Service]

All new cars in California now carry smog, global warming scores originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Where's the sled? Pics of Santa's GEM electric car

Sebastian Blanco — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, GEM, Green Daily

Click above for a gallery of Santa and his GEM

Twas the night or two before Christmas, and Santa was most certainly not at the North Pole. Instead, he was at the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley in Los Angeles giving out toys and promoting a greener Christmas. He was cruising around in a GEM electric vehicle. As you can see from the pictures, the electric drive GEM seemed to perform quite well all decked out in holiday cheer. Under all those ribbons and bows, though, this vehicle looks suspiciously similar to the one that we found at the LA Auto Show recently. Note the fireball hiding under the holiday icons.

In somewhat related news, we also heard about the Tango snowplow and the emergency Prius operation. Does anyone else have a holiday/winter green car story to share?

Gallery: Santa drives a GEM

[Source: GEM]

Where's the sled? Pics of Santa's GEM electric car originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Santa drives a GEM

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, GEM, Green Daily, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

Photo by krisdecurtis. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

While NORAD tracks Santa across the sky tonight, they missed his appearance at the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley in Los Angeles last night. Santa was on hand with a GEM electric vehicle and passed out toys, gave children a chance to decorate a red and white GEM and taught about environmental awareness.

The toys were donated in a toy drive and the GEM came from Response Vehicle Solutions, a north Hollywood GEM dealer. We've been promised pictures of the holiday event soon. I'm not sure how Santa will deliver the presents tonight, but it's high time the reindeer enjoyed the holiday at home while a zero emission EV does its duty. If ever range and speed were an issue, though, tonight's the night.

Happy Holidays, everyone.

Gallery: LA 2008: Fireballed GEM

[Source: Global Electric Motorcars; Boys & Girls Club]

Continue reading Santa drives a GEM

Santa drives a GEM originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GEM NEVs lack "the right stuff"; Army decides against electric cars

Domenick Yoney — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, GEM, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), Germany, USA

Six months into trialing 3 GEM neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) at the US Army Garrison Grafenwöhr (in Germany) it has been decided that the small utility vehicles just don't have "the right stuff." The decision has nothing to do with the plummeting price of oil or the lack of cool add-ons. Apparently, not only was their range deemed insufficient, but they reportedly suffered from a reliability problem as well. Said Tom Hays, Grafenwöhr's director of public works, "They broke down too often and didn't have enough range". Definitely not characteristics desired in a military working environment.

The Army hasn't given up completely on the idea of electrics and say that improved batteries, and therefore better range, would be a compelling reason to try again. Perhaps they should check out the 70 mile Nemo. Heck, the Ruff and Tuff has that kind of range as well and comes already painted in camouflage! Thanks for the tip, Evan!

[Source: Stars and Stripes]

GEM NEVs lack "the right stuff"; Army decides against electric cars originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 21 Dec 2008 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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And this is how Chrysler thinks it will beat the Volt

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:32:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, GEM, Green Daily

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Dodge EV

While telling the feds that it needs seven billion dollars - pronto! - just to keep the lights on, representatives for Chrysler are also saying that their plans for affordable electric cars, minivans and off-roaders are already in place and will basically save the company. When we first saw the prototypes, we noticed that none of them seemed ready for prime time. Still, the word from Chrysler is that EVs are "going to be a big deal for Chrysler."

That's what Lou Rhodes, Chrysler's vice president for advanced vehicle engineering, recently told CNNMoney. Chrysler has also said that it could be selling electric cars to fleets by 2009 and to the rest of us a year later; also, the company says that half of its vehicles could be electric drive by 2020. Ambitious goals, sure, but how seriously can we take them when they're asking for the big bucks and the Chrysler hybrids SUVs have already passed us by?

Gallery: 2011 Chrysler EVs

[Source: CNNMoney]

And this is how Chrysler thinks it will beat the Volt originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2008: A GEM with a fireball and official custom line

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, LA Auto Show, GEM, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Fireball GEM

So, there's an LA-based custom car service called Fireballed that provides all sorts of vehicles to those who want to experience the "Automotive Hollywood Lifestyle." Designer "Fireball" Tim Lawrence makes some crazy vehicles - see these examples - and so we were somewhat surprised to see a fairly standard GEM e4 in this booth at the LA Auto Show last week. As far as I can tell, the only addition is a Fireball sticker on the door panel. There was no one in the booth to ask if there were any underhood enhancements, so I'm left with the question of what was this GEM doing there?

Whatever the reason, this is a good chance to talk about Chrysler's newly-announced MY line of GEM vehicles, which allow for easier custom options. Perhaps Fireball Tim was just waiting for an easier-to-change GEM to work his magic.

Gallery: LA 2008: Fireballed GEM

[Source: Green Car Congress]

LA 2008: A GEM with a fireball and official custom line originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler: Half of all cars electric by 2020

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, GEM, USA

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Dodge EV

We've taken a good look at each of the three electric vehicle concepts that Chrysler took the wraps off of last week, plus one extra for good measure. For various reasons, none of these vehicles really seems quite ready for prime time - one is based on a Lotus sportscar chassis, two require huge battery packs and the last is limited to 25 miles per hour. Tough bring those to market. Still, Chrysler says it plans to launch one of them by 2010 in the U.S. with European delivery scheduled a bit later. We'll see. If that does happen, Chrysler's EV would join the Chevy Volt as the first mainstream(-ish) cars in the States not powered by gasoline in a very, very long time.

If Chrysler's predictions are accurate, though, don't expect the market to stay petroleum-dependent for long. In fact, Chrysler's executive vice president of product development, Frank Klegon, has said that half the cars sold here in 2020 will feature electric power. That's a long way to go in just a decade. In any case, the future promises lots of interesting things for the domestic auto market.

Gallery: 2011 Chrysler EVs

[Source: Automotive News Europe - sub. req'd]

Chrysler: Half of all cars electric by 2020 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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