Gem Van Insurance
Gem had only two models, which are both electric pickups and began production in 2004. Gem was introduced by Damiler Chrysler in the UK at this years Mobility Roadshow ad the best selling electric car. The Gem comes in a two seater configuration and also a four seater configuration. The Gem can travel approximately 40 miles between charges. ZEV Ltd will be importing the GEM into the UK and expects to sell upwards of 350 GEMs in the coming year to a year and a half.
Gem has achieved one of the major advantages that all cars are trying to achieve. That is entire life cost is as low as possible. Costs as low as .25p a mile to operate it while the best petrol vehicle will cost around 30p per mile to operate them. The UK government has made the GEM exempt from road tax and there is a one time registration fee of 38. Another huge advantage is that the city of London will not charge GEM drivers the cities congestion charge and apparently many boroughs have agreed to allow free parking in meter bays.
Although the GEM is small and does not have a great deal of storage space, the Gem can carry a wheel chair on the back of the car. The door opening is 1.5 m making it large enough to accommodate all passengers, is low to the ground and has great headroom for taller individuals. For those customers who need more flexibility there are hand controls so that the car can be controlled solely with the use of your hands.
The two seater configuration will retail for just under 7000 while the four seater will cost 1000 more.
Customers can customize their cars somewhat by taking advantage of a range of coloured body panels, and most amazingly the doors can easily be removed in a matter of minutes. These features will likely to appeal to image conscious city dwellers.
Right-hand drive option is available, and the left-hand drive is standard which will mean that disabled drivers will be able to get behind the wheel from the kerb-side, making access to your car much easier to navigate into your car and avoid traffic.
The top speed is approximately 30mph and the batteries take a charge time of seven hours. The one drawback is that it lacks the flexibility of a fuel-burning vehicle, so you are dependent on getting your batteries charged before continuing. As long as your journeys are short the GEM will be attractive to many city drivers.
