Electric Cars? Cooler than You Think!
Monday, September 1, 2008 at 9:24AM 
Imagine turning the key in the ignition and not hearing a sound? Or
zipping around town on errands and not emitting ANY carbon! That's what
it's like when driving an electric vehicle (EV). GEM (Global Electric Motorcars) are available for sale here in Connecticut for around $8,000 and they plug right into an outlet. If you're signed up for Clean and Renewable Energy Options at home, you'll feel great about using this to run around doing errands.
The feel of the interior is similar to a VW beetle, with large
windows, a sun roof and lots of light. The gas and break pedals are the same as any other car, but the noise--or lack of--is what I found most amazing.
The GEM I drove tops out at 25 mph, but is a perfect alternative to my other cars when doing errands or traveling short distances. They also come in a four seater model, which was spacious enough for me to put groceries and other goodies in the back.
The one I drove was owned by EV proponent, John Papa. "It's great as a second vehicle to use instead of a SUV. Why not have different cars for different functions? The guys at the gas station love it when I drive by," Papa says.
Let's hope the guys who own the automobile industry feel the same way and it doesn't turn into another Who Killed the Electric Car!
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