BNSF powers up seasonal electric-vehicle business (3/27/2003)
3/27/2024Burlington Northern Santa Fe is building a niche seasonal business with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), a DaimlerChrysler subsidiary that manufactures four-person electric vehicles resembling golf carts.
In October 2002, BNSF began moving vehicles previously shipped by truck from a Fargo, N.D., plant.
To date, the railroad has moved about 500 GEMS in bi-level rail cars designed to carry up to 20 vehicles. BNSF loads cars at its Dilworth, Minn., yard, then moves vehicles via other railroads to end-users in New York City, southern Arizona and California.
Most GEM customers are municipal government employees and retirement community residents.
"There is a great potential for additional GEM business," said Steve Painter, BNSF project manager, marketing support, automotive business unit, in a prepared statement.
Source: Progressive Railroading Daily News