FARGO, N.D. – A division of DaimlerChrysler, Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) vehicles drove their 150-millionth-mile in 2006.

"The average internal combustion engine vehicle puts on 12,000 miles per year and contributes thousands of tons of ozone precursors. Every time a person drives a GEM vehicle instead of an internal combustion engine vehicle, they eliminate those damaging cold starts and tailpipe emissions,” says Rick Kasper, president and COO.

GEM vehicles are also economical, costing one-third of their gasoline-powered counterparts, Kasper said.

GEM is celebrating its 10th year of involvement in the plug-in electric technology and manufacturing industry.

2006 highlights include:

• 150 million miles driven in GEM vehicles.
  

• 7.5 million gallons of gasoline saved.
  

• $15 million in gasoline purchases saved.
  

• More than 100 tons of pollutants spared from reaching the air.
  

• The addition of the 150th GEM vehicle dealer.
  

• More than 32,000 GEM vehicles on the road.
  

• The introduction of the first heavy duty GEM vehicle – the GEM eL XD extra-duty long-back.
  

• The contribution of 33 GEM vehicles to the G8 Summit in August.