GEM becomes Green Eco Mobility, introduces Peapod prototype

While Chevy makes quite a to-do about the upcoming Volt hybrid, GM-cousin Chrysler has quietly continued to produce over 38,000 real, honest to gosh electric cars in its GEM sub-division. In need of a little eco-PR boost, Global Electric Motorcars is re-branding itself as Global Eco Mobility and introducing the Peapod. No, not that Peapod, or that Peapod, but a new Peapod that will travel up to 30 miles at 25 mph on an eight hour charge -- stats that sound suspiciously identical to the company's earlier Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (when not in muddin' guise, at least). But, that car doesn't sport bulbous looks on the outside nor gratuitous iPod integration on the inside (pictured below), which, if you don't have to go far or fast, might make it the perfect accessory for your pod when it enters production sometime next year for an undisclosed price.

[Via Register Hardware]

[SkonOfVulcan Posted Oct 1st 2008 1:21AM]

Amen to that FThorn,

Idealy that's the way things should go. Not only would new tech help save the planet but a slightly slower simpler and less hectic pace of life will use less energy. No I don't advocate everyone living in grass huts, I love my gadgets to. However I am trying to save energy by doing even simple things like this; I've taken all of my battery operated devices off the grid. They all recharge via solar now. It wasn't a big expence but I've already noticed an avery of about $2 less for electric each month over the last year. My investment was less then $50. I'm about to move to Arizona and plan on evaluating my new home there for solar.

[ericlmccormick Posted Sep 30th 2008 1:37PM]

This is the happiest LOL car I've ever seen

[magallanes Posted Sep 30th 2008 2:15PM]

Is it incorrect to say this car is so damn gay?.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 30th 2008 2:29PM]

Hmm tough choice that side impact protection or an option that let passers by help point out lost change/sweets.

Things for electric vehicles seemed to be changing they were slowly shaking off the conceptions of poor performance and fisher price body styling.

While appreciate the comments that you can't really make a fail assessment of how safe a car is from a picture (although if you've ever seen the head on collision picture from the encap tests on a fiat sciecento then thats a different story) I find hard to believe this have been tested taking into the account of the speeds other things might hit you at.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 30th 2008 2:54PM]

It says 36 on the dashboard in the picture next to the blinker arrow. I would be more interested if it could handle the major arteries that have speed limits of 35 or 40mph.

[cout Peter Posted Sep 30th 2008 4:12PM]

Now I can't drive without pants on; stupid glass doors...

[Some Guy Posted Sep 30th 2008 5:56PM]

Ooor if your only transporting one or two people you could buy an eletric motorcycle, at least then you fly rather than get impaled.

[fastm3driver Posted Sep 30th 2008 8:10PM]

No problem mocking this turd. 25mph? My bike is faster

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 2nd 2008 4:16PM]

I assume they can't keep those doors "see through" like that... there won't be any privacy. And once that happens.. it will look less cool..