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In The News
May 23, 2005- View GPS Press Release Article Pic1,Pic2,Pic3,Pic4
View Press Release Article @- KRON 4, Yahoo!, Forbes, KVVU-TV
Febuary 25, 2005 - View Article on NYTimes.com
September 29, 2004 -
ZIP AROUND TOWN
Electric Car Rentals Offer Tourists Unique Experience
By Bilen Mesfin
The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 29, 2004 — It's not the hippest thing on four wheels, but a tiny electric car that is smaller than most golf carts offers a fresh way to see familiar San Francisco landmarks. It also will make you a tourist attraction.
"Oh, way to ride!" a camera-toting out-of-of-towner called out as a friend and I inched down Lombard Street, the San Francisco attraction known as the "crookedest street in the world."
His was one of many odd stares we got from young and old alike as we braved San Francisco's crowded streets in a doorless, fire-engine red Global Electric Motorcar — which maxes out at 29 mph.
If you can park your ego at the curb, the GEM offers a leisurely, unobstructed and more intimate view of San Francisco. It's a great alternative to tourist buses for visitors who crave independence and can manage a self-guided tour.
The staff at Electric Time Car Rentals handed us a map and helped us plan our two-hour, 16-mile itinerary. Leaving the Fisherman's Wharf area, we would head north past Ghirardelli Square to the Golden Gate Bridge, double back to hit Lombard and Coit Tower and finish up with a roll through Chinatown.
We drove along the waterfront and sighed appreciatively as we passed the Palace of Fine Arts. Alcatraz loomed in the distance. We paused to gaze out at the Golden Gate Bridge jutting above the Bay. We made sure to stay in the right lane, but cars still slowed down to ogle us, then sped past.
Low to the ground and as exposed as a motorcycle sidecar, the GEM made for an unnerving but exhilarating ride, with nothing between us and the spectacles awaiting at every turn. As we approached Russian Hill, one of the city's steepest, we had our doubts, but the GEM handled it with ease.
The car did, frighteningly, roll backward when we stopped at the top, and trying to parallel park was a challenge. But these electric cars seem a good option for people who might have trouble getting around on foot, and despite our fears about running out of juice, we made it back with plenty to spare.
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June 18, 2004 - View in PDF format
EXPLORING SAN FRANCISCO ON ZERO EMISSIONS
High Cost of Gas, Pollution Concerns Pave Way for Electric Touring Cars
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, June 18, 2004 -- As California lawmakers push for record-low emissions regulations, San Franciscans and tourists alike can reduce their contribution to greenhouse gases by driving zero-emission electric vehicles instead of gas-powered cars. "We have a fleet of close to 30 two-seat and four-seat, street-legal, electric rental cars," said Phil Alaniz, cofounder of Electric Time Car Rentals LLC., in San Francisco. "Our cars are so clean -- they've been driven inside buildings such as Moscone Center," added Alaniz.
For tourists hoping to take in top-notch views, Electric Time cars easily climb the city's steepest lookout points while providing passengers with exceptional visibility and a quiet ride. "Most renters prefer a clear vantage point instead of the added bulkiness of side doors, so we've removed all but a few, but when there's foul weather, the doors go back on," commented Alaniz.
The cars operate on an electrical charge, which lasts approximately two hours (constant driving) or about 20 miles of San Francisco terrain. It takes less than eight hours to fully charge the car from a completely discharged state, which costs under a dollar with the local utility company -- a good solution when you consider that San Francisco gas prices are the highest in the nation. The vehicle can be plugged into any 110-volt outlet for easy recharging.
Smaller is Better
Easy to park and maneuver, electric cars are the logical choice for city driving. At 49 square miles, San Francisco is a compact city that's teeming with traditional cars. People who drive gas-powered autos every day to work want something fun and different when they're on vacation. The GEM (Global Electric Motorcar) is easy to operate in snarled city traffic and is the right size for sharing the road with other alternative vehicles such as bicycles. It's over one foot narrower than an average car and over two feet slimmer than an SUV.
Safety and Specs
Electric Time rental cars are brightly colored and hard to miss. This ensures that vehicles are seen and can maneuver safely in traffic even when other vehicles travel at higher speeds. The cars do well in traffic because they reach top speed very quickly due to low torque engines (faster than some gasoline-powered cars).
GEMs meet the latest requirements set by the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration (NHSTA) for this class of vehicle. The requirements include a safety glass windshield, wipers, headlights, taillights, turn signals, high-mounted stoplights, mirrors and seatbelts, among other accepted automotive safety features.
Global Electric Motorcars LLC., a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler Corporation located in Fargo, North Dakota, is the largest U.S. producer of electric vehicles that can be licensed for public roads. NEVs (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles), which meet federal Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) requirements, have an electronically governed maximum speed of 25 mph and are certified for operation on roads posted at 35 mph or less. GEMs cost from $7,000 to $12,000. Electric Time rentals are fully loaded and priced at the top of the range.
Electric Time Car Rentals LLC., is located near Fisherman's Wharf. Two- and four-seat electric vehicles are available for rent seven days a week from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm (reservations accepted and suggested). Electric Time offers scavenger hunts for groups of 2-100 who want the challenge of navigating through historical and unusual San Francisco locations. Personal guided tours of San Francisco neighborhoods including Chinatown, North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf and Telegraph Hill are available, as well as tailored activities for groups.
EDITOR'S NOTE: To fully charge a GEM from a completely discharged state, takes approximately 7.2 kwh of power. Multiply that by 0.1388 (average rate of electricity per kwh from www.pge.com) 7.2 x 0.1388 = $0.99936
The GEM is 55" wide, Toyota Camry is 70.7" wide and a Ford Excursion is 79.9" wide. Sources: www.gemcar.com, www.toyota.com and www.fordvehicles.com
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Electric Cars have been utilized or on display in the following areas:
Tradeshows at Moscone Center
- Utilized Electric Cars for indoor use at Moscone Center
Ferry Patrons and Commuters
- Access private, immediate, pollution-free transportation to downtown San Francisco
Special Initiatives
- Promote environmentally friendly transportation alternatives with prominently displayed Electric Time Cars at major events
- See Electric Time cars displayed at the Metreon in April
- Utilize Electric cars for transportation at events
Tourism
- Environmentally friendly, hassle-free sightseeing option for small, medium and large groups visiting San Francisco
Electric Time Car Rentals © 2006. All Rights Reserved. |
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