Bob Gere
’s electric automobile keeps him charged and raring to go
Morgan Hill resident Bob Gere doesn’t care how much gas prices go up.
A former mason and contractor, Gere recently retired after 35 years on the job to enjoy the good life of cruising around the streets of Morgan Hill. Though he could be spending hundreds of dollars on gas like most people, Gere spends considerably less on his gem of a vehicle.
Gere, 67, is one of the relatively few people who own a Daimler Chrysler Global Electric Motorcar, or GEM. Gere purchased the car just two months ago and is having a fantastic time driving around Morgan Hill. He drives the car to the grocery store, downtown and just about everywhere else he needs to go.
The GEM E825 utility vehicle long box is the first multi-purpose low speed vehicle created for the streets and turf. It has a 72-volt low-maintenance battery system, with a microprocessor controller and runs at a top speed of 25 miles per hour. Gere said it can legally travel along streets that have a maximum speed of 50 mph.
“It’s perfect for doing my errands around town,” Gere said.
The front wheel drive vehicle is about 144 inches long, 70 inches high, and 55 inches wide.
It comes with a 5 ft. long and 4 ft. wide aluminum flat bed, four wheel hydraulic brakes, front and rear turn signals, seat belts, full exterior lighting, tinted glass windshield, wipers, parking brake, rack and pinion steering, horn, automotive-type suspension, rearview and dual exterior mirrors, and rear and side reflectors. Standard colors are white, red and yellow.
The car comes with two or four seats and a storage bin in the back. It can be used as a golf cart on the course, with the clubs stored behind. A new GEM is priced at around $8,500 dollars.
“It takes three hours to fully charge the car. Sometimes, I’ll even recharge it at an outside socket at the grocery store,” Gere said.
Gere essentially bought his yellow GEM to save on gasoline.
“Gas prices are pretty high and coming up towards $3 dollars a gallon,” he said. “This car is a winner.”
According to Gere, the car is also popular in San Francisco, Los Gatos and a number of retirement communities.
Gere said his electric car has taken the place of his former passion for flying model airplanes in a field by Highway 101.
“Flying the model airplanes was my favorite hobby until one of my 6 ft. gliders hit a pole several months ago,” he chuckled.
Gere, who has lived in the Morgan Hill area for seven years, owned Bob Gere Masonry Contractor Company for 35 years. The company was based in Morgan Hill the last seven years. His company did block work for the real estate community and stores such as Safeway.
“We also rebuilt a lot of fireplaces, especially after the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989,” he recalled. “It was a busy time.”
The earthquake occurred on Oct. 17, 1989 in the greater San Francisco Bay area, measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale. The earthquake lasted 15 seconds and caused severe damage in many areas, including Morgan Hill, he said.
Although Gere misses working, he said, for the time being, he is enjoying taking his 12-year-old son Robby for daily rides around town. His other children Clayton, 44, an engineer for Union Pacific in Oregon; Mitzy, 42, a nurse practitioner with the University of Florida in Gainesville; and Nicole, 14, who lives in Hollister, still have yet to ride in his new vehicle.
Local Stories explores the lives of Morgan Hill residents every Tuesday in the Morgan Hill Times. To suggest a subject for Local Stories call Editor Marcus Hibdon at 779-4106 or e-mail ed******@mo*************.com
