Lexington, KY -
Randy Dunigan of Richmond's Mann Chrysler dealership has been getting calls from people concerned by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. They want to know about the GEM - the Global Electric Motorcar (GEM is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chrysler.)
So did we.
Mann let us try out a couple of versions of the futuristic-looking vehicle: an open 2-seater and this enclosed 4-seater (photo), powered by a 72-volt-battery system.
Our observations:
We think the GEM might be a sensible alternative mode of transportation for institutions or businesses that need to move people and relatively light cargo around expansive properties such as UK, the Horse Park, Lexmark, a gated community or a small town.
The variety of six models (ranging from a basic $7,395 2-seater to a small truck that starts at $11,495) offers a versatile, environmentally sensitive concept. Once a planned solar panel is made available, extending range, the practicality for these applications should only increase.
As a commuter vehicle or for "around town" use, however, the GEM has issues.
The commute from home to office over streets with low speed limits and relatively little traffic felt safe, comfortable and efficient.
There was a lot of staring and finger pointing as we quietly trundled along.
The challenges included the frequent necessity of traveling during the work day from office to points around the city and county.
The GEM literature states clearly that these vehicles are
"electronically limited to a top speed of 25 mph to meet Federal Low-Speed Vehicle requirements" and are in a "classification of federally approved low-speed vehicles which can be driven on community streets posted at 35 mph or less..."
But treks out onto Richmond Road (speed limit, 35 mph) and on Fontaine, a "pass thru" street where the speed limit is routinely ignored by many, were uncomfortable enough to realize that due to its governed speed and lack of all but the most basic passenger protection - seatbelts, no airbags - the GEM is very limited in its practicality and potential as a commuter vehicle.
The charge range of 30-35 miles can be impacted by the weight of options such as doors and/or conveniences such as a heater, stereo and other options that draw power from the battery. Would these factors have an increased impact on range during cold weather?
Those of us who remember the original versions of computers and cellphones know that once a concept captures the public's imagination, and especially in the presence of an imperative such as the nation's need to reduce its oil dependency, innovators go to work and technologies evolve to meet consumer demand.
Once "the" power source is discovered -and scientists as close as UK are among those now working on this- the GEM and other electric cars under development are sure to begin giving the gasoline combustion engine a true run for its money.
More details and photos of the GEM are online at www.gemcar.com.