GEM Airport Vehicles

GEM electric vehicles are federally classified as low-speed vehicles (LSVs) and built to exceed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration safety standards. Unlike golf carts, GEM vehicles include 3-point harness seat belts for all passengers, automotive-grade headlights, a windshield, forward-facing seats, a roof crush-certified Occupant Protection System and the option of a fully enclosed cab with hard doors. Additionally, they are street-legal on roads posted at 35 mph or less and operate at a maximum of 25 mph. Whereas golf carts have no federal safety standard equivalent and are not street-legal in most jurisdictions. As a result, GEM can legally operate on airport service roads and taxiway access routes while golf carts often cannot.

The choice between the GEM e6 and e4 depends primarily on passenger capacity and range requirements. Because the GEM e6 seats up to six passengers, is 167 in. long and offers up to 86 miles of range per charge, it’s best for airports that need to move larger groups between gates, terminals, parking facilities or FBO lounges. Comparatively, the GEM e4 seats up to four, is 135 in. long and offers up to 117 miles of range, which make it the better choice for single-shift applications covering longer distances or where parking space is limited. However, many airports deploy both: e6 for high-volume peak shuttle routes and e4 for gate agent transport, passenger assistance and crew movement.

The GEM eL XD is a street-legal electric utility truck with 1,629 lbs. of payload and a variety of rear body configurations. At airports, it is most commonly used for tarmac maintenance (tool chests, ladder rack, beacon light configuration), small cargo delivery between terminal buildings, food and beverage service logistics, airfield grounds maintenance and facilities management. The rear body options include flatbeds, L-boxes, enclosed cargo boxes, tool chests, stake sides, box sides and ladder racks. As a result, the same vehicle chassis can serve multiple ramp and terminal roles across shifts. Additionally, the 6-ft tighter turning radius compared to competitive trucks makes it easier to navigate jet bridge service areas and narrow terminal service lanes.

Minimal infrastructure is required because all GEM vehicles charge from a standard 120-volt outlet. Specifically, the same outlet used for power tools and facility equipment or from a 240-volt outlet for faster charging. However, GEM is also compatible with J1772 EV charging stations which is the most common Level 2 charging connector type. As a result, any existing airport EV charging station can charge a GEM fleet. No proprietary charging equipment or dedicated EV infrastructure needs to be installed before deploying GEM vehicles. Specifically for large fleets or 24/7 operations requiring frequent overnight top-ups, J1772 Level 2 stations provide faster charge times and can typically service multiple vehicles simultaneously. Additionally, GEM batteries are designed to support opportunity charging without degradation which makes mid-shift charge management straightforward.

GEM, Tiger and Taylor-Dunn are all brands from Waev and serve distinct, complementary roles in a complete airport ground fleet. Firstly, GEM handles low-speed passenger transport, security patrol, maintenance utility work and ramp operations up to 25 mph. Secondly, Taylor-Dunn Bigfoot handles baggage cart towing, lavatory service, potable water service and ramp logistics up to 10,000 lbs. Thirdly, Tiger handles heavy-duty aircraft and cargo towing up to 60,000 lbs. A complete Waev airport fleet — GEM for people and light utility, Taylor-Dunn for ramp service, Tiger for heavy towing — covers every operation from terminal door to tarmac without relying on gas or diesel vehicles for any role. Because all three brands come from Waev, fleet procurement, dealer support and parts logistics are managed through a single organization.