BEND (AP) — Midmorning sunlight radiates on the candy apple red paint, and bounces off the sparkling chrome wheels.

Whether it’s on the open road or sitting in the parking lot at her work, Debbie Benson’s ride sticks out.

Benson’s electric golf car is different from the ones that sprint across area courses — much different. Hers came equipped with mirrors, a speedometer, turn signals, brake lights, seat belts and windshield wipers.

Street-legal golf cars, made by the Augusta, Ga.-based Tomberlin Group, can travel up to 25 mph and more than 30 miles on a full charge. The cars, which are defined by the Department of Motor Vehicles as low-speed vehicles, are allowed where the posted speed limit doesn’t exceed 35 mph, said Barry Helm, owner of High Desert Golf Cars, which recently began selling the four-wheel efficiency machines.

“I checked with the DMV, and they said they were OK,” Helm said after a short spin in the neighborhood that surrounds Widgi Creek golf course, where Helm’s business is located. “I checked with the police department and they said it wasn’t a problem.”

Helm said the on-road vehicle is permitted on most of the roads in west Bend. The golf cars must be insured, and policies run about $30 a month.

“If you choose your routes carefully, you can get all over town,” he said. “With gas at almost $5 a gallon, a little electricity to charge these is just pennies.”

Benson, a Coldwell Banker agent, takes her new rig to work three days a week. She also drives the car to the grocery store, out to dinner with friends and to an occasional movie.

Benson said she feels safe inside the vehicle, which is usually given ample room by other drivers.

“People are so receptive,” Benson said. “They see me and they wave. It’s not just the young crowd that’s interested, older people, too.”

When she’s not behind the wheel of her golf car, Benson drives an SUV. Since she started driving a golf car, Benson says she’s saving almost $200 a month on gas.

“I used to fill up once a week,” Benson said. “This cuts that in half.”

While the street-legal golf car business is just starting in Bend, it’s already thriving at Foursom Golf Cars in Woodburn.

Owner Sue Sheirbon said she’s already sold 13 and expects to move about seven more before the end of the year.

“With the gas prices the way they are, that seems to be the real target right now,” Sheirbon said. “They’re more compact than an automobile. For short trips, it’s a great alternative.”

Currently, two Tomberlins roam the streets of Bend, the one owned by Benson and another that is usually driven by High Desert owner Helm.

Jeff Hale, who manages the Bend golf car retailer, said the company has sold another car, and is awaiting the arrival of eight more.

High Desert retails a basic car for $6,500, and a higher-end model for $7,500, said Jeff Hale, who manages the business.

“The higher end has nicer upholstery, a wood-grain dash, chrome wheels, a dome light and a 400-amp controller, compared to a 300-amp controller,” Hale said. “The higher amp controller gives it more giddyup.”

Door and window enclosures can be purchased separately, but Hale said that doesn’t mean the vehicles will be prominent on local roads in winter.

“It’s definitely a spring and summer vehicle,” Hale said.

The Bend Police Department is prepared to see golf cars and other alternative vehicles on the road, said Steve Esselstyn, a community liaison for the department.

“People are becoming more aware of strange vehicles on the road,” Esselstyn said. “Unless they’re impeding traffic or not obeying stop signs or traffic-control devices, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Tomberlin drivers will carry a permit from the manufacturer that certifies the golf car as a street-legal, low-speed vehicle.

“I think you’re going to see more alternative cars shaped like the Jetson-mobile,” Esselstyn said. “As long as they have proper documentation, it won’t be a problem.”

As the price of gas fuels the switch to alternative vehicles, Benson said the benefits of driving her golf car have been more than monetary.

“The people’s reactions are fun,” Benson said. “It turns heads.”

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On the Net:

Tomberlin Group: http://www.tomberlin.net/electric-vehicles

High Desert Golf Cars: http://www.highdesertgolfcars.com/

Forsom Golf Cars: http://www.foursomgolfcars.com/