His Little Blue Cart is One Street-Legal Green Machine

The next time you’re driving down Biddle Avenue and a golf cart pulls up next to you, don’t be alarmed. It’s legal.

Dan Smith and Pat Choinski opened Green Wheels Inc. in 2008 in Wyandotte, selling Tomberlin street-legal, low speed-vehicles.

The carts are legal to drive on any road in Michigan with a speed limit of 35 mph or less.

A Wyandotte police officer once stopped Smith and Choinski as they were driving one of their vehicles soon after their business opened. After checking the license plate and registration, the officer apologized to them and said he would inform the rest of the department about the unique vehicles.

The now owns a low speed, street legal vehicle to use at special events, such as the and .

Smith said the carts are low maintenance. The biggest problem owners run into is not regularly filling the batteries with distilled water.

“It’s a green vehicle with zero emissions that you just plug right in,” Smith said.

Smith said business is not great right now because of the economy. Green Wheels Inc. has sold 15 carts since opening. He hopes more people become interested in the vehicles, which start out at about $8,000.

“Eventually, we’re all going to have to use some type of electric vehicle,” Smith said. “We can’t continue to pay this much for gas.”

Smith had his own low speed vehicle, but sold it to someone who saw it and loved it.

“I loved the openness and the quiet of driving it,” Smith said. “It is relaxing. My granddaughters loved it.”

Ryan Patrick of Wyandotte bought his street legal cart after seeing a Green Wheels Inc. booth at the Wyandotte Street Art Fair in 2009. Patrick had wanted one since living in Florida and admiring the carts there.

When Patrick bought his cart, the government was offering a $4,000 electrical tax incentive. He said it will eventually pay for itself with gas costing nearly $4 a gallon.

Patrick said Smith and Choinski have been great, even coming to his house once when he couldn’t get the cart started.

“They’re good guys,” Patrick said. “They’re great. If I have any problem, I just take it there, and they take care of it.”

The vehicle is a perfect fit for Patrick. He uses it to run errands around town, like grocery shopping at . Downtown Wyandotte is another favorite destination with the cart, especially for parades, fireworks and Third Friday festivities.

Not only is it fun to drive, but it draws attention.

“I used to think I was holding up traffic, but people were going slow to look at the cart,” Patrick said.

He started carrying information in his glove box to give people because so many were asking about it.

Patrick doesn’t just use his cart for pleasure. He gets a lot of use out of it at his job as a physical education teacher at Memorial Elementary School in Riverview. Patrick is able to drive it to work and then use it at work to move equipment.

“The kids love it,” Patrick said. “They eat it up.”

He purchased a basic model, but Patrick said he will eventually add upgrades such as a back seat, radio and CD player.

Patrick uses his low speed vehicle from about mid-April to mid-November depending on the weather.

“I just like the convenience of it,” Patrick said. “It’s a cool little car to drive around.”

Street legal, low speed vehicles run off of electricity from eight batteries stored under the seat. Prices start at about $8,000 and the government is currently offering a 10 percent tax credit on electric vehicles through Dec. 31.

They come with a VIN number, so owners can go to Secretary of State to get a license plate. They also require insurance, which Smith said usually runs under $200 a year.

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to getting around town, Green Wheels Inc. also sells 50 cc trike mopeds from Ice Bear. The mopeds are three-wheeled, making them easy to maneuver. They run on gas and get 85 miles per gallon with a top speed of 30 mph. Prices for mopeds start at $1,900.

A registration decal from the Secretary of State is all that is needed for a moped because it is a recreational vehicle. The decal costs $15 and is good for three years. Insurance is not required.

Besides being better for the environment, these alternative forms of transportation provide an enjoyable atmosphere.

"It's just a fun thing to drive," Smith said.

Green Wheels is located at 4036 Biddle. For more information, call 734-282-3400.