An Overview of the 2007 Gem Line of Vehicles
My first exposure to a GEM was in the happiest place on earth, the sign said so, it was Disneyland. The Anaheim Police use it to patrol the Disneyland's adjacent mall called Downtown Disney. The Officer was pleased to talk about his new ride in detail; I think they pick those kinds of guys to work around Disneyland.
The GEM is a NEV. That is the Global Electric Car is a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle. A Neighborhood Electric Vehicle is a Street legal Vehicle that goes 25mph and is legal to operate on roads with a speed limit 35 mph or less. So now you know about the top speed, it can go for 30 miles on a charge or 40 mile with the XD package available on the e6 model. The model ranges from two to six seats (three rows of 2) and some with utility beds. You could call it a golf cart on steroids, but you better call it a rack and pinion steering, independent four wheel suspension that is entirely drivable on the road while you listen to your alpine stereo and run the heater to take the chill off and remember to refill the windshield washer reservoir, 72 volt as opposed to 36 to 48 volt golf cart on steroids.
I think this still not the answer for most of America, as of yet most of us don't have the patience to go only 25 mph, a lot can't tolerate someone going 25 mph in front of us on a 25 mph street, never mind a 35 mph one. GEM is a step in the right direction, maybe now it's our turn to take a step.
