Electric Cars Arrive!

[Valerie S. Johnson]

By Valerie S. Johnson

We’ve been hearing for years that cars running on electricity instead of gasoline are just around the corner. Finally, the Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) are hitting the streets. Designed for cruising around local communities, golf courses, city centers, and work sites, you won’t find the NEVs on the freeways. These low-speed vehicles are street legal in most states on roads where the speed limit tops out at 35 mph. They putter along at 25 mph with a range of up to 30 miles on a single charge.

DaimlerChrysler is mass-producing its Global Electric Motorcars, or GEMs. These vehicles are battery-electric, operate on a 72-volt battery, and plug into a standard 110-volt outlet to recharge in six to eight hours. They emit zero tailpipe emissions, making them the ultimate in green transportation.

Currently, there are six GEM models, from a two-passenger vehicle (starts at $6,795) to a six-seater (starts at $12,495). There are plenty of optional extras, such as a dash-mounted fan ($65), a chrome bumper ($165), and even heated seats ($395).

The GEMs have found avid drivers among the inhabitants of Lincoln, California, where the state’s first major citywide NEV transportation project is well underway. This city near Sacramento is adapting its roads and traffic signs, and creating special parking spaces for the NEVs.

These vehicles are not mere golf carts; the NEVs must be registered with the state Department of Motor Vehicles and equipped with seat belts and other safety features. The driver must have a valid California’s driver’s license and insurance.

A detailed transportation plan that was produced for the City of Lincoln identified many benefits of the NEVs. It was claimed that these vehicles have a great safety record, improve air quality, are affordable, consume less than 1/5th of the energy of a conventional car, provide mobility for aging or impaired drivers, support the local retail economy, and encourage the use of existing public transportation.

DaimlerChrysler claims that the cost of owning a GEM is one-third less than owning a typical gas-powered vehicle, and the operating costs are just pennies a day.

Check out the electrifying GEM website for more information about these models, and the City of Lincoln’s innovative Neighborhood Electric Vehicle Transportation Plan.