$16M federal grant will increase Chicago's electric fleet
CHICAGO (AP) - Chicago's effort to increase electric transportation has received a $15.5 million federal grant.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Wednesday that the money was awarded by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning .
The grant will fund charging stations and nearly 200 electric vehicles - including six electric buses to serve passengers at the city's two airports.
Emanuel's office says the "Drive Electric Chicago " additions will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 10,000 tons (about 9,000 metric tons).
The money comes from the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program . It's part of the Federal Highway Administration.
It will finance 182 electric vehicles for the city's fleet, nine fast-charging stations and 182 lower-level chargers.
The city's goal is to have a passenger fleet that is 25 percent electric by 2023.