An Electric Utility Vehicle for Both People and Cargo

Polaris GEM

Built with quality and durability in mind, GEM from Polaris helped the Electrical Maintenance department at Cleveland State University get more work done both indoors and out.

When Cleveland State University’s (CSU) Electrical Maintenance department needed a new utility vehicle, their choice was the Polaris GEM. The electric GEM eL XD low-speed vehicle helps the department tackle just about any maintenance task without needing to fuel up.

“We knew we wanted an electric utility vehicle, and we chose the GEM eL XD because of the number of configurations offered,” says David Pekala, crew leader for CSU’s Electrical Maintenance department. “We were able to customize the machine to fit our needs, adding a 44-inch cab L-Box to protect cargo.”

The GEM eL XD is the first vehicle of its kind to offer a recessed bed option to lower loading height and maximize hauling capability. More than 20 bed configurations and a wide variety of accessories are available for full customization. Pair these options with the GEM’s generous ground clearance, 1400-pound payload capacity and safety features and you’ve got a work vehicle you can count on.

“The GEM gets us from point A to point B quickly and it fits into tight spaces,” adds Pekala. “It goes where our other vehicles can’t.” Because it is electric, the GEM eL XD can be driven indoors as well as out. It handles off-road areas such as turf and sidewalks and is legal to drive on streets in most states and provinces, typically on roads marked up to 35 mph.

Built with quality and durability in mind, GEM features an aluminum chassis that passes SAE roof-crush-test standards, front-wheel disc brakes, an automotive-style suspension and a variety of maintenance-free battery options. The result is a reliable, zero-emissions vehicle with a smoother ride. Whether you’re moving people or cargo, GEM utility vehicles get the job done easily and efficiently.

www.polaris.com

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Texas Recruitment

    Texas Recruitment

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The University of Texas at Austin's Texas Recruitment has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Grand Prize award in the category of Renovation.

  • FGCU Breaks Ground on New Health Sciences Building

    Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) has launched construction on a major new academic facility that leaders say will reshape healthcare education in Southwest Florida for decades to come, according to university news.

  • Campus Safety Requires Using Every Resource Available

    Across the U.S., school and campus leaders are facing a security landscape that has changed dramatically over the past decade. Incidents on school property have increased in recent years, with several consecutive years setting record totals. According to analysis of data by CNN, dozens of shootings now occur on school grounds annually across K-12 and higher education environments.

  • Designing Third Spaces That Do What AI Can't

    In 2026, education is evolving faster than ever. With AI reshaping everything from lesson planning to personalized instruction, schools and universities are turning their attention to what AI can’t replicate: spaces that foster collaboration, community, and creativity.