KENT, OHIO - Kent State University is greening up campus operations with eight Global Electric Motorcars (GEMs), according to the Daily Kent Stater.

The GEM electric vehicles are powered by a 72-volt absorbed glass mat battery pack with an on-board charger that can be plugged into a standard household 110-volt outlet. Charges may last three to six hours, depending on how long the batteries were discharged, according to the Stater.

The Design Solutions department, Campus Environment and Operations, and Fleet Services are just a few of the campus departments utilizing the vehicles. Officials said the electric vehicles are quiet, have low operational costs, little overall maintenance, and are easy to maneuver because of their size, reported the Stater.

Last fall, President Lester Lefton announced the formation of a task force for sustainability to help build upon current efforts and investigate new initiatives to go green.

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