New Vehicles Aid in Safety and Sustainability Efforts

  • 11/01/17
GEM

Being able to perform for eight hours or more on a single charge is just one of the many ways in which the GEM car promotes sustainability at Penn State University Park’s campus.

On Pennsylvania State University Park’s vast campus, Polaris GEM cars are transporting passengers, hauling equipment and assisting with landscape management. With sustainable power sources, street legal status and small vehicle footprints, GEM vehicles are providing the perfect solution for Penn State’s transportation and maintenance needs.

A priority for the purchase was selecting a vehicle that could perform a minimum of eight hours on a single charge. GEM’s battery options provide Penn State the ability to choose a battery system that does just that, without time wasted to recharge.

In addition to battery life, GEM provides options and features comparable to a full size truck. The street-legal status of GEM eliminates the necessity of driving utility vehicles on sidewalks, enhancing safety for pedestrians on campus.

Bruce Cifelli, Equipment Management and Services administrator at Penn State, notes, “With more on-road vehicle systems, GEM is a strong performer.” In addition to GEM’s high quality compared to conventional trucks, its compact size sets it apart, allowing easy maneuverability between buildings and on pathways where large trucks simply can’t go.

In the business of campus maintenance, time is money. Vehicles must be at peak performance to maintain efficiency and get the work done. Cifelli notes, “We’ve seen much less maintenance on these vehicles. That means less down time.” The time and cost savings go directly to the bottom line, making electric vehicles the perfect addition to a utility fleet.

When purchasing a utility vehicle, electric options have long been overlooked because of concerns about reduced capacity. GEM is a testament to the power of an electric option. With long-range batteries, regenerative braking, payload and towing capacities and automotive style suspension, GEM accomplishes what a utility vehicle should in places a truck can’t.

www.polaris.com

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • University of Utah Launches Utah 360 App

    The University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, recently announced that it has partnered with digital engagement hub Pathify to launch a new app for the university community, according to a news release.

  • School Construction Projects Boom as Education Systems Address Aging Facilities and Growth

    Construction opportunities are almost always abundant, but currently there are more than usual construction projects being launched for public school campuses. Common objectives include major renovation or expansion of aging facilities, total replacement of inefficient classrooms, upgrades to lighting, technology, and security equipment, and adding new sports and cultural facilities.

  • Empowering People Through Smart, Sustainable Campuses

    Sustainability is facing increasing scrutiny, with some questioning its costs and priorities. Yet for universities, it remains an essential driver of resilience, operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness. At the same time, there is a growing recognition that sustainable transformation is not just about reducing energy consumption and emissions to comply with tightening regulations ‒ it’s about creating vibrant, comfortable environments where people can thrive, innovate and connect. For university leadership, this is a complex balancing act, with rising energy costs and limited budgets only adding to the challenge.

  • StarRez Releases 2025 State of Student Housing Report

    Student housing software solutions provider StarRez recently released its second State of the Student Housing Industry Report, according to a news release. The report is based on the results of survey data from more than 400 higher education institutions around the world, both StarRez clients and not.