Electric Cars Are a Dog's Best Friend

    SANTA BARBARA, Calif., June 5 The long history of dogs and
cars reached another high point Saturday in this California coastal town when
a four-passenger GEM electric vehicle joined the 7th Annual Big Dog Parade.
The street-legal zero emission car served as transport for several pooches who
wanted to rest their "dogs."

    
    GEM EVs are manufactured by Global Electric Motorcars of Fargo, ND, a
subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler Corporation.  They are available in two- and
four-passenger models as well as a utility configuration, at 21 dealers in
California.

    GEM is targeting communities such as Santa Barbara, with its
internationally recognized resort setting and large university campus, for
aggressive promotion and sales efforts in California.

    A number of GEM cars will be among an array of alternative-fuel vehicles
on display June 23 at an alternative-fuel vehicle demonstration and media
event at Hearst Castle State Park, located along the scenic Central Coast of
California in San Luis Obispo County.
 
   The GEM, which is classified as a neighborhood electric vehicle, meets all
applicable federal safety standards and is legal on all California roads
posted 35 mph or less.  With a top speed is 25 mph, the compact, affordable EV
is easy to drive and park.  It costs only pennies per mile to drive and is
very simple to maintain.  The GEM can be charged at any household electrical
outlet.

    GEM buyers are eligible for federal tax credits and, in some cases, local
financial incentives.