The previous news on GEM is not really that good– it’s bad. If you can remember Chrysler has backed out on its plan of producing the Peapod which was a low speed neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) supposedly to go on sale last 2009. But that doesn’t mean that Chrysler has altogether drop the “whole electric vehicle” idea in fact it has recently made an announcement that GEM or Global Electric Motorcars, its wholly-owned subsidiary, has developed a new line up of low speed neighborhood electric vehicles that are far better than the previous Peapod project.

Here’s what Rick Kasper, President and Chief Operating Officer of Chrysler Group Global Electric Motorcars LLC has to say: “The 2011 model year marks our 13th year in designing and distributing 100 percent battery-electric GEM vehicles. We’re always integrating new technologies and features into our product line that allow our customers to customize their vehicles and use them in a variety of capacities.”

The new 2011 GEM NEVs are equipped with energy monitoring system and some additional accessories of which includes a 12-inch turf tires, right-hand drive, a short bed package and utility tie downs. Currently there are around 45,000 of them in actual used today.

I think one of the best features of the new GEMs is its energy monitoring system that displays the amount of energy in kilowatt-hours. This gives you the opportunity to check how much it cost to drive a GEM plus it also provides you a way of validating Chrysler’s promise that the GEM will only cost you 2 cents per mile.

The GEMs can reach a top speed of 25 mph and can cover 30 miles on a charge—in short it’s ideal only for short trips. There are currently six models of GEMs to choose from and can be customized with a variety of accessories and options. You can check out the dealership in your area if you are interested in upgrading your GEM or to purchase one.

I’m definitely one of the guys who is going root for anything green these days. That’s why I was simply ecstatic when Chrysler mentioned that it will be putting up a new electric car model from its GEM subsidiary. The car called the Peapod Electric Car does not look like any electric cars out there, but it certainly has a lot of promise with the way it looked.

Meanwhile, Chrysler’s GEM division has always produced intriguing and unique electric cars through the years, although not a lot of people have shown interest because gasoline was what was ticking back then. However, I was glad that GEM took it a step further as they finally gave a sneak peak of its next model called the Peapod Electric Car. Basically, the Peapod Electric Car is a futuristic Neighborhood Electric Vehicle or NEV.

Compared to other electric vehicles out there, the Peapod Electric Car is certainly out of this world. In short, its bulging and tubular design will make you think that it’s the Volkswagen Beetle after 100 years. Its windshield is massive and it comes in very bright colors, which remind you of your toy cars when you were eight-years old. Unlike other GEM models, this one is totally enclosed so passengers will stay dry all throughout their journey, even if the rain is pouring outside.

Basically, the Peapod Electric Car uses Chrysler’s ENVI design, which is entirely dedicated to developing electric-powered vehicles. This car definitely looks like it was taken from newspaper 50 years from now. To put it simply, it does not look like anywhere near the cars that you see on the road these days. The Peapod Electric Car has a teardrop front that uses big-sized glasses. When it comes to the interior, you’ll be surprised to know that it is more spacious than it actually looks. The truth is, four passengers can fit comfortably inside without any problems.

Furthermore, the Peapod Electric Car has a 102-inch wheelbase and has an overall length of 143.6 inches. It’s basically having a Mini Cooper-like vehicle that runs in electric power rather than gasoline. When it comes to weight, the Peapod Electric Car is 1290 pounds, while its aluminum frame will make sure that it will stay tough no matter what.

Because the Peapod Electric Car uses electricity to move around, it has 12-volt lead-acid batteries. The best part is, you can plug-in this car in any standard 110-volt outlet for 6 to 8 hours and you can start roaming around for at least 30 miles. When you talk about its speed, it won’t be able to beat any car on the road with its measly 30 mph speed, but you’re no Lewis Hamilton, so you don’t need speed at all. The truth is, the Peapod Electric Car is built for congested areas not on race track ovals. With that being said, this is the best car to beat the city traffic without emitting any harmful exhaust gases to the environment.

With the trend turning against gasoline-powered vehicles, it will not be surprising if the Peapod Electric Car becomes one of the most sought-after electric cars in the coming years. Basically, Chrysler has committed in manufacturing this car for 2009 and it will be distributed in several countries that have electric-vehicle infrastructures. The Peapod Electric Car definitely has a lot of potential and I wouldn’t call it lucky if becomes a staple part of the streets in the future.