Chrysler GEM Peapod urban electric car with futuristic design

Along with an electric sports car, minivan, and Jeep, Chrysler also unveiled a new all-electric car from its GEM subsidiary; offers new sensations with the launch of GEM, a company owned by the Chrysler Group LLC, the new generation of electric vehicles batteries, fuel and emitting zero emissions. The Peapod is first of a new generation of GEM electric vehicles that will be more user-friendly and efficient.

GEM (Global Electric motorcar LLC) is the ancient name of the company owned LLC in charge of construction and marketing of electric vehicles nearby. The company, established ten years ago and now bearing the name Green Eco Mobility has its headquarters in Fargo, in North Dakota in the United States.

Innovative lines that provide real change in automotive design: its allure inspired by nature (pea pod husk means peas in English), reflects the Peapod at first glance environmental philosophy, the rationale behind GEM since its inception ten years ago.

"We have evolved the GEM design language to better reflect its eco friendly performance and its upbeat, positive image," says Chrysler chief innovation officer Peter Arnell, who led the design process. "These vehicles use no gasoline and emit no pollutants. So whether it's a trip around the neighborhood or the drive to school or work, the GEM Peapod is the ideal way to contribute to a greener planet and a healthy lifestyle.

Easy living, the GEM Peapod also implements this spirit in his cabin, with its new center console with a slot for iPod and a voice to use an iPhone. Other innovations include ergonomic seats whose structure mesh allows air circulation for comfort. This structure allows the use of recycled materials and environmentally friendly.

"We changed the GEM concept to bring us together closer to the concept of environmental performance for vehicles reflecting a positive image and full of good humor," said Peter Arnell, head of innovation with Chrysler LLC and supervised the design and aesthetics of this new vehicle.

"These vehicles run without fuel and emit no pollution. Whether a tower in the neighborhood or taking children to school, EME Peapod is the ideal means of transport to contribute to a cleaner world and a healthier lifestyle, "Arnell said.

The acronym GEM now adopts a new meaning – Green Eco Mobility-, "said Arnell, a term that reflects the objective of this undertaking is to completely redefine the concept of eco-compatible vehicles.

Chrysler unveiled the new GEM Sept. 23 at the headquarters of Chrysler LLC in Auburn Hills, near Detroit. The new GEM is scheduled to begin production next year.

"The Peapod is the first in a line of new products that will redefine the future of the electric car," said Bruce Coventry, President of GEM.

"With this new generation of GEM, we will expand the market for this clean technology and emission-free," said Coventry.

"In addition to the GEM vehicle near Peapod in 2009, says Coventry, GEM plans to market a small electric truck and a car urban bigger than Peapod, which have an extensive outreach and of performance. These vehicles are scheduled to enter production in the next year, "he said.

GEM is now the biggest seller of zero-emission vehicles in the United States, with 38 000 units produced and in service. GEM vehicles are used in city centers, urban communities, military bases, and university campuses and in businesses and national parks, regional and municipal.

"For ten years, GEM has become the leading company in the United States in the field of vehicles 100% electric battery," said Rick Kasper, President of GEM.

"We have achieved this by responding exactly to the specific needs our customers' safety, functionality, versatility and environmental performance," said Kasper.

At the time, ENVI president Frank Rhodes was asked about integrating new power trains—battery packs, electric drive, range-extending engines—into architectures also built to accommodate standard engines. He reacted sharply. "Sharing platforms? We don't think that makes sense. You won't really create an efficient application. We believe that end result is sort of the worst of all." In other words, Chrysler may not adopt GM's tactic of using a global platform for both the conventional Chevrolet Cruze and the extended-range EV Chevrolet Volt.

GEM hopes to have the Peapod into production in 2009 and will follow it with more new models. For now, future plans include an electric light-duty commercial truck and a large city electric car with more range and performance, both of which GEM hopes to get into production next year along with the Peapod.

Chrysler also announced that the GEM name will be changed from Global Electric Motors to GreenEcoMobility, in what appears an obvious marketing stunt to cash in on environmentally friendly buzzwords.

In one fell swoop, Chrysler has moved the industry’s painful transformation to electric drive further along and, not incidentally, drawn a line in the sand that competitors—Toyota, GM, Nissan, and others—will have to cross. The year 2010 promises to be absolutely fascinating for consumers.

http://www.greenecomobility.com/peapod