Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), a Chrysler company, has been awarded the 2007 Charles R. Imbrecht Blue Sky Merit Award'from California-based WestStart-CALSTART, for its "strong and enduring commitment to advanced transportation technology."

August 20, 2007

Global Electric Motorcars wins prestigious Blue Sky Award in California
Pioneering environmentally-friendly alternative transportation

Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), a Chrysler company, has been awarded the 2007 Charles R. Imbrecht Blue Sky Merit Award'from California-based WestStart-CALSTART, for its "strong and enduring commitment to advanced transportation technology" including bringing neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) to California in 1998 "when others were not even considering" environmentally-friendly technologies.

As the leading manufacturer of NEVs, there are nearly 14,000 GEM vehicles on the road in California, and that number is increasing at the rate of nearly 100 GEM vehicles per month.

"The people of California have enthusiastically embraced GEM vehicles from the moment we first introduced them to the state in 1998," says Larry Oswald, GEM Chief Executive Officer and Director, GEM and Electric Vehicle Product Team at Chrysler. "We are honored to be recognized for our contributions to their environmental leadership."

GEM will share the stage with the other 2007 Blue Sky winners including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez.

"This year's Blue Sky Award' winners are at the forefront of the fight to combat global warming, ensure our energy independence and to create sustainable, quality jobs," said CALSTART President and CEO John Boesel. "GEM's impact on the industry is remarkable: it has single-handedly proven the valuable role small electric vehicles can play, making a long term commitment to expanding that market while also cutting harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases. These actions match the award's vision: taking clean and sustainable transportation products to the marketplace."

Global Electric Motorcars, as a then DaimlerChrysler company, was the first to offer a multipurpose NEV for sale from a major automaker. Today, the company produces six fully electric vehicle models ranging from two-seaters, to six-seaters, to utility models. GEM is closing in on having a total of over 36,000 GEM vehicles on the roads by the close of this year.

"With ten years of dedication and commitment to this industry, earning this recognition is truly rewarding for everyone at GEM," adds Rick Kasper, GEM President and Chief Operating Officer, "We're pleased we're able to play a role in the state's outstanding accomplishments."

GEM vehicles have driven a combined 150 million miles and spared more than 100 tons of pollutants from reaching the air, while saving 7.5 million gallons of gasoline.

GEM vehicles are eligible for incentives and tax credits from clean-air districts and other governmental agencies.

About Global Electric Motorcars:
Global Electric Motorcars is a 10-year old manufacturer of neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) that are street-legal and have many of the same safety features of regular cars (such as three-point seat belts, automotive safety glass, and lights) - but are much more economical in price and fuel consumption. Perfect for short trips, such as to the post office or grocery store, or for facilities management, all six GEM models are popular with planned or retirement communities, resorts, and college campuses. They are used by many military installations of all branches and government agencies as well. The company is based in Fargo, North Dakota. For more information, to build your own GEM, or locate a dealer visit www.gemcar.com.

About the Blue Sky Merit Award':
CALSTART selects the award winners in a review process together with a multi-disciplinary selection panel made up of environmental and industry leaders, including representatives from the Natural Resources Defense Council, the American Lung Association of California and the Union of Concerned Scientists. In 2007 there were nearly four dozen nominees for the prestigious award.
The Blue Sky Award' has been presented since 1996 to global industry leaders for outstanding marketplace actions in clean, advanced transportation. Past winners have included General Motors, ISE Corp., New Flyer, Toyota, Pickens Fuel, Ballard and others. The Charles R. Imbrecht Blue Sky Innovation Award', named for the longest serving former chair of the California Energy Commission, celebrates policy and technology innovation that moves markets. The Blue Sky Leadership Award' is given periodically for outstanding personal leadership to expand advanced, sustainable transportation markets. Visit www.calstart.org/info/bluesky for more.

About CALSTART:
CALSTART is the California operating division of WestStart-CALSTART, a participant-supported organization of more than 145 companies and agencies, dedicated to expanding a high-tech transportation industry that cleans the air, creates jobs and improves energy efficiency to combat global warming and increase energy security. WestStart-CALSTART is playing a leading national role in deploying more efficient vehicles, supporting fuel diversity and expanding new systems for transit and personal mobility. Visit www.calstart.org to learn more.

For more information, contact:
Belinda Forknell
701-446-0190 or 701-866-3692

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