GEM adds solar panel option to its popular low speed electric vehicles
WAEV, the maker of the popular GEM neighborhood electric vehicle, has just announced a new solar panel option that turns the roof of its EVs into a convenient energy source.
GEM’s electric vehicles are one of the most popular Low Speed Vehicles in the US, a class of small and efficient vehicles designed to operate in urban areas and wherever larger full-size cars are unnecessary.
As all-electric vehicles, they are powered by EV batteries and generally require a connection to a wall outlet for recharging.
The new monocrystalline solar panel module announced today is an optional accessory that mounts to the vehicle’s roof and helps charge the GEM’s lead acid or lithium battery, depending on the model.
As WAEV engineering director Joe Kenney commented:
This Earth Month, we’re introducing a new solar panel option to power GEM electric vehicles with renewable energy. Sustainability has been at the core of GEM for more than 20 years and we’re dedicated to providing our customers – both individuals and businesses – with more sustainable ways to move.
The company hasn’t released exact specs on the power rating of the solar panel modules, but did share estimated range impacts for various models.
For example, depending on the model of GEM, WAEV expects the solar accessory to add between 4.3 to 12.4 miles (6.9 to 20 km) of range per day.
Solar panels on conventional electric cars rarely add this much range, largely due to the higher power motors used in full-size electric vehicles. With more powerful motors, the same amount of energy generated by modestly-sized solar panels simply can’t go as far.
But LSVs like the GEM have smaller motors that only propel them up to 25 mph (40 km/h). Because of this, they are much more efficient and thus can turn the same amount of solar-generator electricity into much longer driving range.
We’ve seen solar panels employed on other LSVs like the Mark 2 Solar from Wink Motors, which we tested out last month in New York City.
These types of solar-powered LSVs generally don’t receive their entire charge from the sun, but rather use a solar panel as a form of range extender. The vehicles can still be plugged into conventional electrical outlets for a primary charge.
Low Speed Vehicles, often referred to as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) or microcars, offer a host of benefits that contribute to a more sustainable and convenient mode of transportation within local communities.
As eco-friendly alternatives to conventional gasoline-powered vehicles, NEVs produce zero emissions, helping to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner air quality.
Their compact size and low-speed operation make them ideal for navigating tight spaces and crowded streets, which also helps to create a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists sharing the road.
In addition to their environmental advantages, NEVs boast lower operating and maintenance costs, resulting in significant savings for owners. Their quiet operation also helps to reduce noise pollution.
While still few in number in the US, NEVs are a growing segment of the transportation industry. Advances like roof-mounted solar panels for these efficient electric vehicles may help spur increased adoption by reducing the frequency of charge stops.
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Environment
U.S. crude oil falls below $60 a barrel to lowest since 2021 on tariff-fueled recession fears
A view shows disused oil pump jacks at the Airankol oil field operated by Caspiy Neft in the Atyrau Region, Kazakhstan April 2, 2025.
Pavel Mikheyev | Reuters
U.S. oil prices dropped below $60 a barrel on Sunday on fears President Donald Trump’s global tariffs would push the U.S., and maybe the world, into a recession.
Futures tied to U.S. West Texas intermediate crude fell more than 3% to $59.74 on Sunday night. The move comes after back-to-back 6% declines last week. WTI is now at the lowest since April 2021.
Worries are mounting that tariffs could lead to higher prices for businesses, which could lead to a slowdown in economic activity that would ultimately hurt demand for oil.
Oil futures, 5 years
The tariffs, which are set to take effect this week, “would likely push the U.S. and possibly global economy into recession this year,” according to JPMorgan. The firm on Thursday raised its odds of a recession this year to 60% following the tariff rollout, up from 40%.
Fueled by incentives from the Illinois EPA and the state’s largest utility company, new EV registrations nearly quadrupled the 12% first-quarter increase in EV registrations nationally – and there are no signs the state is slowing down.
Despite the dramatic slowdown of Tesla’s US deliveries, sales of electric vehicles overall have perked up in recent months, with Illinois’ EV adoption rate well above the Q1 uptick nationally. Crain’s Chicago Business reports that the number of new EVs registered across the state totaled 9,821 January through March, compared with “just” 6,535 EVs registered in the state during the same period in 2024.
Those numbers represent more than 50% growth in EV registrations – far beyond the expected 12% first-quarter increase nationally being projected by Cox Automotive. (!)
What’s going on in Illinois?
While President Trump and Elmo were running for re-election, they campaigned on the threat promise of canceling the $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs. Along with California Governor Gavin Newsom, Illinois’ Governor JB Pritzker made countermoves – launching a $4,000 rebate for new electric cars and up to $1,500 for the purchase of a new electric motorcycle.
At the same time, the state’s largest utility, ComEd, launched a $90 million EV incentive program featuring a new Point of Purchase initiative to deliver instant discounts to qualifying business and public sector customers who make the switch to electric vehicles. That program has driven a surge in Class 3-6 medium duty commercial EVs, which are eligible fro $20-30,000 in utility rebates on top of federal tax credits and other incentives (Class 1-2 EVs are eligible for up to $7,500).
We covered the launch of those incentives when the program was announced at Chicago Drives Electric last year, but the message here is simple: incentives work.
SOURCES: Chicago Business, Ray Cunningham; featured image by the author.
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The electric construction equipment experts at XCMG just released a new, 25 ton electric crawler excavator ahead of bauma 2025 – and they have their eye on the global urban construction, mine operations, and logistical material handling markets.
Powered by a high-capacity 400 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery capable of delivering up to 8 hours of continuous operation, the XE215EV electric excavator promises uninterrupted operation at a lower cost of ownership and with even less downtime than its diesel counterparts.
XCMG is delivering on part of that reduced downtime promise with the lower maintenance and easier repair needs of electric equipment, and delivering on the rest of it with lickety-quick DC fast charging that can recharge the machine’s massive battery in 1.5-2 hours … but that’s not the slick bit. The XCMG XE125EV can be powered up without leaving the job site thanks to its BYD battery swap technology.
We first covered XCMG and its battery swap technology back in January, and covered similar battery-swap tech being developed by MOOG Construction offshoot ZQUIP, as well – but while XCMG’s battery tech has been in production for several years, it’s still not widely known about in the West (even within the industry).
XCMG showed off its latest electric equipment at the December 2024 bauma China, including an updated version of its of its 85-ton autonomous electric mining truck that features a fully cab-less design – meaning there isn’t even a place for an operator to sit, let alone operate. And that’s too bad, because what operator wouldn’t want to experience an electric truck putting down 1070 hp more than 16,000 lb-ft of torque!?
Easy in, easy out
The best part? All of the company’s heavy equipment assets – from excavators to terminal tractors to dump trucks and wheel loaders – all use the same 400 kWh BYD battery packs, Milwaukee tool style. That means an equipment fleet can utilize x number of vehicles with a fraction of the total battery capacity and material needs of other asset brands. That’s not just a smart use of limited materials, it’s a smarter use of energy.
You can check out all the XE215EV’s specs at this tear sheet, and get an in-person look at the Chinese company’s latest electric excavator this week in Munich, Germany.
SOURCE | IMAGES: XCMG.
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