Local, Personal, Transportation

April 7, 2002 – Vol.7 No.2

LOCAL, PERSONAL, TRANSPORTATION.

So far, government efforts have been largely unsuccessful in introducing large numbers (in the millions) of alternative fuel vehicles to the streets and highways of the world.

Yet at the local or state level, where the realities of pollution from congestion are most obvious, governments can indirectly help bring green vehicles to the streets by reducing posted speed limits for the sake of pedestrian safety. In many states in the U.S., speed limits set at 35 miles per hour or lower allow for the practical and legal use of one kind of alternative fuel vehicle - low-speed electric, also known as neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV).

In a pilot program in Santa Monica, California, EV Rental Cars has begun renting eight Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), two and four seat NEV’s to tourists and residents in the oceanside community. The GEM cars will be limited for use on 35 mile per hour or less roadways - virtually all of downtown Santa Monica. The service will be expanded to 50 cars by the end of the year.

GEM cars have also been upgraded for the 2002 model year with a larger, more efficient electric drive motor and optional hard side doors for weather protection and other improvements. GEM is a division of DaimlerChrysler. Visit EV Rentals at http://www.evrental.com/ and GEM at http://www.gemcar.com/ .