Sunday, May 15, 2011

GEM battery electric: neighborhood friendly and 30 mile range

By Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 9:31 a.m.

The GEM e2 seats two occupants with bench-style seating using molded-foam cushions covered by marine grade UV-stable vinyl coverings.


Body style: 2-, 4- and 6-seat passenger models; 3 utility models


Powertrain: heavy-duty DC motor with continuous 5 hp and a 21-hp peak during acceleration and hill climbing; six 12-volt battery pack (nine 8-volt gel pack on largest utility model); regenerative braking


Transmission: single speed gear reducer with an integrated differential


Top speed: 25mph


Charging time: 6 to 8 hours with onboard, 72-volt DC charger that plugs into a standard 110-volt AC 15-amp household outlet


Length: 99 to 162 in.


Wheelbase: 72 to 133 in.


Payload: 710 to 1,380 lbs (including options, passengers and cargo)


Curb weight: 1,140 to 1,620 lbs.


Safety features: quartz-halogen headlights, turn signals, rearview mirror and side mirrors, 3-point seat belts, high-mounted rear brake and taillights, laminated and tinted automotive safety glass with a windshield wiper.


Base pricing: $8,440 to $14,380, including freight charges


Warranty: 1 year


Where assembled: Fargo, North Dakota


Info: Gemcar.com


The GEM Neighborhood Electric Vehicle may look like a customized golf cart, but its automotive-grade engineering (and testing) is the big separator.


These battery-electric vehicles by the Global Electric Motorcar Co., a division of Chrysler LLC, are built with welded aluminum space frames, A-arm front independent suspension with coil springs over shock absorbers, carlike rack-and-pinion steering, automotive-style hydraulic brakes and a parking brake.


They also have such safety features as 12-inch street-rated tires, quartz-halogen headlights, turn signals, a rearview mirror and side mirrors, three-point seat belts, high-mount rear brake and taillights, and laminated, tinted automotive safety glass with a windshield wiper.


The front-drive GEMs, sold in six body styles, have a driving range of 30 to 35 miles fully loaded. The electric drive is by a heavy-duty DC motor with continuous 5 horsepower with a 21-hp reserve for acceleration and hill climbing.


Sold in 2-, 4- and 6-seat passenger models, starting prices range from $8,440 to $14,380, including freight charges. Three two-seat utility models with short, long and extra-long bed lengths range in price from $9,610 to $12,670. A federal 10 percent discount (up to $2,500) is available through Dec. 31. And California Clean Vehicle Rebates ranging from $1,000 and $1,350 are available on most models.


Options include a 7-hp Performance Package, $525, and Convenience package, $200, which adds an accessory outlet, grab handles, mud flaps and scuff guards. There’s a radio-CD-MP3 audio system, $710, and fast chargers, starting at $3,340. The fast charger will bring six 12-volt batteries up to 80 percent state of charge within 2 to 4 hours and a full charge in 4 to 8 hours, depending on the size of the batteries used.


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