Bloomington director of public works Susie Johnson says all manner of city government personnel have been trying out the low-speed electric vehicle her department is test-driving this week. The city is exploring purchasing the Global Electric Motorcar, or GEM car, for use by the new downtown specialist. Johnson says so far, the vehicles appears to be perfect for the task.
Johnson says she’s hoping that the city’s use of the GEM car could set an example for the community, and could provoke conversation about alternative transportation and alternative fuels. She says the city could eventually end up purchasing several of the vehicles for its fleet, and she’s hoping Bloomington residents will look into purchasing electric vehicles themselves. Johnson says the vehicle has a top speed of around 26 miles per hour. The company that produces the GEM car estimates that the cost of electricity associated with the vehicles is about 20% of what an equivalent amount of gasoline would cost.
