GEM Releases New eL XD Utility Vehicle

25 October 2006

The new eL XD GEM.

Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), a DaimlerChrysler company, has introduced a new utility electric vehicle, the GEM eL XD, and its other 2007 electric vehicle models.

The GEM eL XD, an enhanced version of its existing eL utility vehicle, features a long-back bed and an additional 400 pounds of cargo capacity. In addition to the increased payload capacity, the GEM eL XD features nine 8-volt gel batteries, giving it a driving range of up to 40 miles per charge.

We are committed to changing the way the world thinks about battery-electric vehicles. People are not realizing they can have the cost and emissions benefits of electric vehicles and get real capacity and performance.

—Larry Oswald, CEO and director of the GEM and Electric Vehicle Product Team for DaimlerChrysler

The eL XD’s motor has a continuous 5 hp rating and 12 hp peak. Regenerative braking contributes to sustaining the battery charge. The vehicle has a MSRP of $10,995.

All 2007 GEM models now feature a new steering system that reduces the amount of steering effort by more than 33% and also reduces the turning diameter. Along with the utility vehicles, the current GEM lineup includes two-, four- and six-passenger vehicles.

GEM vehicles have a top speed of 25 miles per hour and meet all federal safety standards for Low Speed Vehicles. Some 32,000 are in service. UPS recently announced that it would test two GEMs at Worldport, its global all-points air facility in Louisville, Kentucky. The Kentucky state government has also added two GEM vehicles to the state fleet.