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home ›   tip library ›   Eco-Friendly Cars - Electric Cars

What's with all the golf carts tearing up the roads?

The Bite

Don't call them golf carts, or an electric car owner might bite you. Tangos and GEMs (Global Electric Motorcars) are the itty-bitty, electric-powered, planet-friendlier cars to watch.

The Benefits

  • Plug 'em in and they'll fully charge in as few as 3 hrs. Once juiced, Tangos will go 80 miles and GEMs will go 30 miles on a single charge.
  • No direct emissions, and none at all if you're using green power or buying green tags.
  • Electricity's way cheaper. You'll save well over $1,000 per year on gas.
  • You can't take it onto the freeway, but at a driving speed of 35 mph, a GEM'll get you where you need to go in town.
  • They're freakin' cute, all right?

Personally Speaking

We're looking to get eGos (electric scooters) for our SF team to tool around the city. We'll report back in the blog once we have a chance to give them a whirl.

Wanna Try?

  • GEM - the official website. Includes a cost-savings calculator.
  • Commuter Cars - George Clooney was the first person to own their Tango, and so can you (if you've got cash coming out your ears).
  • Smart Car - you EU Biters have been ahead of the curve for a long time.
  • EV World - learn more about electric vehicles.
  • Tax Incentives for Electric Vehicles - get a $4,000 tax rebate (and more if your state offers its own rebates).
  • Tesla - next up? Electric roadsters that have all the power of a Ferrari (with similarly high price tags). They'll be available in '07.
  • Who Killed the Electric Car? - check out last summer's big whodunnit movie to see why we don't have more moderately-priced bullet options in this Wanna Try.

Sep 14,2006


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25 MPH? Not such a GEM IMHO

So there always has to be an early product that really serves as a wide-spread Beta for what's to come.  And then all the eager beavers out there (known as "early adopters" in marketing speak) rush to buy the newest thing to be invented.  My Dad is one actually... I can't tell you how many laptops and Treos I have received from him... he always has to have the lightest laptop first, or the first Treo video phone first.  Then another comes out that is better, and voila! I get styled.

Anyway, long way of saying that I am not going to get a GEM. I am not an early adopter so into technology or with loads of disposable income. Not to mention, I did the savings calculations with its nifty calculator on the website and it saves me $700 a year - which I would gladly pay to be able to speed around the highways of MT.  I mean, my barn is 15 miles away, and so that would cost me an extra 20+ minutes to get there, so about 45 min. r/t. extra time spent.

However, the one part of me that is drawn to it is my love of golf carts. We used to sneak golf carts out when on beach VKs and rip up the greens. I know, bad. But it was so fun! So if I were rich or lived on a golf course I would be an early adopter of this and support the cause.  But for now, my Jetta, my horse, my bike, and my legs will get me where I need to go.

So here's a shout out to you early adopters... especially you, my dear not-so-old Dad!

Off to check to see if my Pops would be interested in a GEM... he is an early adopter and lives on a golf course afterall... I just may have a GEM yet... Jen


Biter Comments...
I recently was in the market for a car to replace my totalled motorcycle and thought an electric would be ideal. GEMs are simply too slow (a top speed of 25mph in LA traffic...no way Jose) and the other electric options are slim. An electric Ranger or S-10 isn't really my style and are still too expensive for one in good condition. The Xebra (40mph top speed and 40 mile range) sounded good but you cant buy them yet. Tango looks awesome but I don't have $100,000. Electric Rav4s are still $40,000 and I won't drive an SUV, even if it IS electric. Diesel vehicles are selling for twice their value right now (a 1985 Mercedes wagon sold for $16,700 on ebay recently) so until there are more options, I went with a gas powered station wagon.

Posted by: Kevin Wright | September 14, 2006 at 11:22 AM

Hi! Just imagine how much quietier and cleaner the inner cities would be if everyone had to drive golf carts. No more highspeed chases either. Of course it may be a bit strange at first to be overtaken by bicycles.. Having once had a lift with Jen, I actually think the GEM would be a better option for her. Cheers, Paul

Posted by: Paul Arden | September 14, 2006 at 05:07 PM

There are laws to be considered. A lot of places don't consider slower electric cars as legitimate motor vehicles. They are not legal to drive on public roads around here. You can't get road insurance for them, and here in Canada, no insurance means you can't drive them (except on your own property). However, we have electric bikes and electric motorcycles on our roads.... so go figure!

Posted by: Tarodin | April 09, 2007 at 10:31 AM

Just to clarify... you CAN drive a Prius (or other full size electric vehicle) (and insure it) but you can't drive a "golf cart" on public roads around here.

Posted by: Tarodin | April 09, 2007 at 10:34 AM

There's a company with solar-electric golf carts. They also have solar transporters, and I think they look better than the GEMs. The solar roof charges the batteries any time the cars are in the sun. Pretty cool! Depending how much you use the cars, you may never have to plug them in, but they can be plugged in just like any electric car. Oh, and there's a tax credit available. Look up Cruise Car.

Posted by: Mike | January 25, 2008 at 06:12 PM

There are laws to be considered. A lot of places don’t consider slower electric cars as legitimate motor vehicles.

Posted by: Golfmitgliedschaft | October 12, 2008 at 01:49 AM

Thanks to Tarodin for mentioning Solar Vehicles by Cruise Car. I'm their Southern California Rep. Given the correct circumstances, our vehicles are the way to go: Private neighborhoods, civic centers, facility lots or campus use. Highway? No way! I'm an exhibitor this week (starting 10-14-08) at Solar Power 2008. In off-hours I'll be cruising the city streets of San Diego in my Sunray Solar Car.

Posted by: Michael Margulis | October 12, 2008 at 10:37 AM

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