GEM e2

 

This e2 electric vehicle was built by Global Electric MotorCars, or GEM, and was acquired by the City of Salem, Oregon. Equipped with an aluminum diamond plate clip-in tool box, it was assigned for use in Community Enforcement. Global Electric MotorCars, LLC was founded in 1992 by former General Motors engineers in Livonia, Michigan, as Trans2 Corporation. In early 1998 the company was purchased, relocated to Fargo, North Dakota, and given its new name. GEM manufactured its first vehicle in April 1998. In December 2000 GEM was acquired by the DaimlerChrysler Corporation. GEM began producing its 2005 models in March 2004. In addition to the 2-passenger e2, GEM also offered the 4-passenger e4, the eS with a short cargo bed, and the eL with a long cargo bed. The 6-passenger e6 was introduced in April 2006. GEM products are classified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles. In July 2011 GEM was sold to Polaris. As of October 2015, GEM had global sales of more than 50,000 units since 1998 and was the Neighborhood Electric Vehicle market leader in North America.

The 2005 GEM e2 features a 72-volt General Electric motor driving the front wheels through a Dana Spicer speed reducer with an integral differential, powered by six 12-volt deep-cycle batteries. The e2 has an aluminum welded space frame and structural composite and thermoplastic body panels, and it has a curb weight of 1,078 pounds and a gross vehicle weight of 1600 pounds. It has a wheelbase of 72 inches and is 99 inches long, 55 inches wide and 68 inches high. The e2 also features an onboard 72-volt DC charger that uses 110-volt AC input, a General Electric solid-state custom speed controller with regenerative braking, four-wheel hydraulic brakes, and rack-and-pinion steering giving a turning radius of 12.5 feet. The e2 has a top speed of 25 miles per hour and a range of up to 30 miles depending on temperature, grade, and driving style. Additional features include a bench seat cushion covered by marine-gray vinyl, three-point safety belts, quartz-halogen headlights, front and rear turn signals, high mount rear brake light and taillights, and a laminated tinted safety glass windshield with wiper. Standard equipment includes horn, floor mat, and driver's side exterior mirror. Available options include dual upper safety handles, passenger side exterior mirror, 12-volt accessory plug, chrome bumper, GEL maintenance-free batteries, car covers, custom wheels, scuff guards, Alpine stereo, soft or hard doors, heater/defroster, charging cord set, premium colors, and windshield washer kit.