Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

An Electric Utility Vehicle for Both People and Cargo

  • 09/01/17
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

  • UTampa Breaks Ground on STEM Academic Facility

    The University of Tampa in Tampa, Fla., recently broke ground on one of its largest academic facilities ever, according to a news release. The Dickey Science Innovation Center will measure 153,000 square feet and has a scheduled completion date of fall 2028.

  • Ohio State University Opens 26-Story Hospital

    The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center recently opened in Columbus, Ohio, standing 26 stories and covering 1.9 million square feet, according to a university news release. The project marks ten years of effort and is the university’s largest single-facility construction project ever.

  • AAADM Announces Building Safety Month Initiatives

    The American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers (AAADM) recently announced its support of Building Safety Month as declared by the International Code Council (ICC), according to a news release.

  • Chartwells Launches Campus Dining Evaluation Framework

    Contract food-service management provider Chartwells Higher Education recently announced the launch of BLUEPRINT, according to a news release. The evaluation framework was designed to provide a data-driven and customizable roadmap towards optimizing campus dining services and, by extension, the student experience.