Green Volt EV Conversions owner Mike Barnes with just a few examples of the electric bicycles and skateboards he has for sale at his showroom on 5902 Kostoryz Road in Corpus Christi. Staff photo
When Mike Barnes zips along Shoreline Blvd. on his bicycle, he gets noticed. That’s because Barnes is usually traveling about 30 miles per hour — without peddling. The owner of Green Volt EV Conversions, Barnes loves to showcase his top-of-the-line electric bicycles along Corpus Christi’s premiere roadway where he can build excitement for his new business and maybe even make a few sales.
“Electric is the way to go,” Barnes says, noting that the bikes can travel a distance of 30 miles on 50 cents worth of electricity — further if you add some pedal power to the equation.
“It’s the perfect low-cost transportation,” he said. “You peddle when you want to and let the electric motor take over when you get tired. No car payments, no gas, no insurance.”
Electric bicycles don’t damage the environment either, a concern Barnes has had since watching the movie “Who Killed the Electric Car,” five years ago. After watching the movie, he built his own electric car, then blew the engine out hot rodding.
“I like speed,” he said with a grin. And he’s a firm believer that you don’t have to give up anything but the pollution and expense when you go from gas to electric. His converted car, which he plans to fix and drive again once he gets his business going, won several awards at car shows in the last few years.
Although growing in popularity, retail sales of electric bikes in the U.S. lag behind growing sales in Europe because so many of the dealers are unable to adequately explain, support or service the bikes according to a report by Electric Vehicles Research. That’s certainly not a problem in Corpus Christi.
Green Volt EV Conversions is a full service shop for sales service and conversions. Barnes, who also works as a helicopter mechanic, can add conversion kits to cars, bicycles or even motorcycles.
While it costs less to convert, Barnes says the newest electric bicycles on the market are a bargain. He’s knows — and believes in — the products he sells, which include electric skateboards with remote control throttle and brakes.
“You can still push off on it and use it as a regular skateboard,” he said. “It weighs only 13 pounds and takes only about two hours to fully charge. The kids love it. It’s the lightest skateboard at the most affordable price.”
The $699 price tag makes the skateboard an extremely easy and cheap means of transportation, although the rider does need to have a good sense of balance.
“It’s not a trick board though,” he said. “It’s not a toy. You can go 18 miles on a single charge just by standing on it. It’s made for transportation.”
The shop at 5902 Kostoryz Rd. in Corpus Christi offers test drives on the skateboards or bicycles. Barnes currently carries several versions from two electric bicycle companies: Easy Motion and Prodeco. The more expensive brand, Easy Motion, hides the batteries in the bike frame. The only way to tell its electric is to watch it move without peddling.
Prodeco bikes are built in a factory in Florida and come completely assembled, including air in the tires, Barnes said. Parts are quick and easy to obtain. Lithium batteries are bolted to a carrier above the back tire. While noticeable, they are small, lightweight and unobtrusive.
One of the most popular is a bike with a 20-mile range. It travels at 20 miles an hour and folds up for easy storage and transport. Another popular bike, the one Barnes prefers, travels 30 plus miles per charge at 30 miles per hour and is the preferred bicycle of police departments around the nation.
“It’s called the Outlaw,” Barnes said of the bright orange model on his showroom floor. “It has beach tires and enough power to climb mountains. That’s why the police like them so much.”
Police departments in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and other large cities regularly use the bikes on patrol. The bikes are also popular with students on large campuses, like Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, or aging baby boomers wanting to stay active.
Electric bicycles, motorcycles and skateboards are perfect for Corpus Christi, Barnes said.
“Corpus Christi has a lot of bike trails and bike lanes,” he said. “It’s more fun getting there on a bike.”
Bicycle purists call it cheating, he continued.
“It’s not cheating, it’s the best of both worlds,” he said. “People like their options. When you get hot and sticky in the summer, you can stop peddling and cruise around without working up a sweat. If you want the exercise, you can peddle all you want. You can get out and enjoy life.”
To take a test drive at Green Volt Conversions, stop by the shop, which is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Green Volt EV Conversions
5902 Kostoryz Rd.
Corpus Christi, TX 78415
361-903-8825
