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In an effort to protect Florida’s
environment, save taxpayer money and reduce the state’s
carbon footprint, the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service recently purchased 72
electric-battery powered Global Electric Motorcars (GEM®) cars
for use in state parks. A division of the Chrysler Company,
GEM® creates low speed, neighborhood electric vehicles that run
purely on battery and electric power.
“GEM® cars allow state park
staff and volunteers to conserve energy and gasoline when traveling
within parks and to nearby destinations,” said Florida Park
Service Director Mike Bullock. “The cars are more
cost-efficient, saving valuable state funds during this tough
economic time.”
Using the new eL model GEM® cars
allows the Park Service to maintain a high level of service to
visitors while saving money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Using the energy efficient GEM® cars reduces carbon dioxide
emissions within state parks since the vehicles produce no tailpipe
emissions. In addition, GEM® cars save taxpayer dollars, with
virtually no maintenance or fuel costs and an initial purchase
price of less than $10,000 – half the cost of a traditional
gasoline-powered vehicle.
The GEM® eL model purchased by the
Florida Park Service accommodates two passengers with a carrying
capacity of approximately 750 pounds and a top speed of 25 miles
per hour. The vehicles meet federal safety requirements for
street-legal vehicles on roads with speed limits up to 35 miles per
hour and include many features of traditional automobiles,
including safety belts, an automotive windshield with wiper,
headlamps, rear brake and tail lights, turn signals, mirrors and
street-rated tires. Powered by a 72-volt battery system, a typical
GEM® car with fully charged batteries can get up to 30 miles on
a single charge.
The first two-time Gold Medal winner
honoring the nation’s best state park service,
Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the
country with 161 parks spanning almost 700,000 acres and 100 miles
of sandy white beach, including the 2008 Best Beach in the Nation,
Caladesi Island State Park, located off the coast of Southwest
Florida in Pinellas County. From swimming and diving in
Florida’s rivers and springs to birding and fishing or hiking
and riding on natural scenic trails, Florida’s state parks
offer year-around outdoor activities for all ages. Battle
re-enactments and Native American festivals celebrate
Florida’s unique history, while art shows, museums and
lighthouses offer a window into Florida’s cultural heritage.
Florida State Parks are also dedicated stewards of land management,
engaging in prescribed burning, natural habitat management and
resource restoration and preservation.
For more information on Florida State
Parks, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org. For more information on
GEM® electric-battery powered cars, visit www.gemcar.com/.
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