Why GEM is an electric car, not a golf cart
GEM stands for Global Electric Motorcars, and the brand is upfront that its vehicles are street-legal electric cars rather than course carts. GEM pioneered the neighborhood electric vehicle category, was owned by Polaris for years, and is now produced by Waev, though most buyers still know it as Polaris GEM. The vehicles are engineered for local streets, with a 25 mph top speed and approval for roads posted at 35 mph or less in most states. If you want something closer to a small electric car than a golf cart, a GEM dealer is the place to start.
The GEM lineup: e2, e4, e6, and the utility models
GEM keeps a clear range split between moving people and moving cargo. Pricing varies by dealer, battery, and accessories.
- GEM e2, around $15,240: A nimble two-seater for short local trips and tight parking, rated for up to about 125 miles of range.
- GEM e4, around $17,490: The most popular model, with four forward-facing high-back seats and up to roughly 117 miles of range.
- GEM e6, around $21,240 and up: A six-passenger shuttle that works as an alternative to a van for campuses and communities.
- eL XD and eM 1400: Utility models with a flatbed and heavy payload, up to about 1,400 pounds, for work sites and groundskeeping. The eM 1400 is limited to 19 mph.
Car-like safety and a long driving range
What separates a GEM from a typical cart is how much of it is built like a car. Models include an automotive-glass windshield with a wiper, three-point seat belts, MacPherson strut front suspension, a roof that meets SAE crush standards, disc brakes, and regenerative braking. Range is a standout too, reaching up to roughly 98 to 125 miles depending on the model, and every GEM charges from a standard 110V outlet through an onboard charger. That combination is why GEM shows up at resorts, campuses, and planned communities where a vehicle needs to cover real distance on public streets.
What to confirm with a GEM dealer
Because a GEM is a registered street-legal vehicle, the dealer conversation runs a little closer to buying a car. Ask the GEM dealer which passenger or utility model fits your trip and payload, the battery choice between lead-acid and lithium, the all-in price with the accessories you want, and how titling and registration work in your state. Buyers moving people lean to the e2, e4, or e6, while work sites look at the eL XD and eM 1400.
Polaris GEM dealers near you
Look up GEM dealers on Cart and Buggy, see who stocks the e2, e4, and e6 nearby, and contact them about configurations, range, and pricing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
GEM sells through a dealer network across the country. Browse GEM dealers on Cart and Buggy to find who carries the e2, e4, and e6 nearby and handles registration.
Yes. GEM vehicles are built as street-legal low-speed vehicles for roads posted at 35 mph or less in most states, with a 25 mph top speed, while the eM 1400 is limited to 19 mph. Dealers can guide registration where local law allows.
New models start around $15,240 for the two-seat e2, about $17,490 for the popular e4, and $21,240 or more for the six-seat e6, depending on battery and options.
Yes. Alongside the passenger e2, e4, and e6, dealers carry the eL XD flatbed and the eM 1400, with payloads up to roughly 1,400 pounds for job sites and groundskeeping.
Range runs up to about 125 miles on the e2 and 117 on the e4, and every GEM plugs into a standard 110V outlet to recharge through its onboard charger.