QUENTIN ROUX / Staff

Mike Harris cruises by in a four-seater model of his line of GEM electric cars. Harris says sales have been picking up since gas shot over the $4 mark.

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Hectic for electric

Soaring gas prices have had a positive effect on the sales of electric vehicles from a local outlet, Gem Cars of Marco.

Company owner Mike Harris said there’s no question that the unenviable milestone of gas topping $4 a gallon has been a catalyst for recent sales.

He’s done three alone this month, as opposed to zero last year.

The cars, which plug into 110-volt outlets and cost the fill-up equivalent of $.70, have a range of about 30 miles on a charge and can travel at speeds of up to 25 m.p.h.

Costs range between about $8,000 for the base model two-seater, and rise to around $13,000 for a six-seater.

Also available are long-bed models, which Harris said are beginning to gel with some businesses.

“I recently sold one to a Key West business that manages 75 vacation properties,” he said.

Another buyer was a Fort Myers woman who uses a GEM car for take-out food deliveries, he said.

Yet another person bought one because he was just plain mad about the rising gas prices, Harris said.

Harris makes no bones that he regarded the GEM cars as fun vehicles when he acquired the dealership about two years ago, but said the practical value is now undeniable.

“People were a little hesitant to buy the cars before,” he said, “but now it’s for economic reasons.”

The cars are street legal, and are under full warranty for the first year.

Harris said they’re insurable by some companies — State Farm, for examples charges around $250 as an add-on premium to motorists. The vehicles are manufactured by Chrysler in Fargo, North Dakota.

There is some competition from China, Harris said, but he pointed out that these imports don’t have labor support like the American models.

The maintenance-free batteries have a life of around three to five years, Harris said, and the more the car is used, the better the batteries last.

The vehicles have five horsepower motors, with optional seven horsepower available as well. Harris’ showroom is on Front Street. Call 595-0193.

Cybermarketing seminar

It’s all well and good to create a business Web site, but attracting visits is the key to successful Internet marketing.

With this in mind, the Marco Eagle, in conjunction with the Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce, has organized a Search Engine Marketing seminar scheduled for July 15.

The seminar will run 3 p.m. through 5 p.m. in the conference room of the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors, situated near City Hall at 140 Waterway Drive off Bald Eagle Drive.

RSVPs are requested. Call the Chamber at 394-7549.