FARGO - An electric motorcar that was first manufactured here nearly a decade ago is growing up.

Global Electric Motorcars on Thursday unveiled its new six-passenger model, known as the e6. The zero emission car is street legal and designed primarily for master planned communities, resorts, hotels, military bases and industrial campuses.

"We're anxious to get these vehicles to our customers who have ordered them sight-unseen," said Rick Kasper, Global Electric president and Chief Operating Officer.

The car has been in the works for two years. It went into production last week and should be available for distribution next week, Kasper said.

The car has a base price of about $12,000. It's available with several options, including an extended battery pack that allows it to be driven up to 40 miles without recharging.

The timing is good for the new vehicle, Kasper said.

"It is, as an alternative fuel vehicle, very economical to drive," he said. "With gasoline prices close to $3 a gallon … the cost per mile is about one-eighth that of a gas powered vehicle."

Global Electric vehicles have top speeds of 25 mph and can be driven on roadways posted up to 35 mph. They meet all federal safety standards for low speed vehicles, Kasper said.

The bubble-domed cars also are available in two- and four-passenger models.

"These vehicles are the newest innovations in the search for more clean, more efficient transportation," said Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D. "These vehicles, and their increased use by the American public, are key to lessening our dependence on foreign oil and improving the environment."

Global Electric Motorcar LLC, which is owned by DaimlerChrysler, is in its ninth year of business. It has about 100 employees, including 85 in Fargo.

Global Electric cars are the top selling street-legal, all-electric vehicles in the country, said Larry Oswald, CEO and head of the electric vehicle division for DaimlerChrysler.

"Projections are for continued market growth for neighborhood electric vehicles," Oswald said.

California is the largest market for the cars, Oswald said. The vehicles also are popular in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida and Hawaii, he said.

More than 31,000 Global Electric vehicles currently are in operation, Kasper said.

"I'm extremely proud in how far we've come," Kasper said. "It's a credit to our employees and DaimlerChrysler's participation. We take nothing for granted. We know we will see more competition in the coming years."