Chicago pushing clean taxi program

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) said Friday that its Drive Clean Chicago program will be deploying up to 120 clean vehicles through a partnership with CALSTART.
   
The Drive Clean Taxi program is open to all taxicab owners and vendors due to a clean air grant. This will allow discounts to be granted to public passenger fleets of up to $10,000 for each vehicle purchased that is either electric or operates on compressed natural gas.
 
“We are very pleased to be partnering with the city of Chicago on this program that will have a positive impact in terms of clean air and public health," CALSTART President and CEO John Boesel said. "We salute Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s creativity and leadership with this important city initiative. Drive Clean Chicago will help fleets deploy advanced vehicle technologies that are better for the environment, economy and the future of sustainable transportation in Chicago.”
   
With this program in place those vendors wishing to take part will see discounts and benefits at the point of sale rather than through a rebate program. Vouchers will be made available once eligibility is established for both the kinds of vehicles and vendors.
   
CALSTART, based in Pasedena, California, CALSTART is a member-supported group of more than 140 firms, fleets and agencies worldwide dedicated to supporting a growing high-tech, clean transportation industry.
  
A similar dfederally funded program has helped Chicago put over 400 clean vehicles and 200 alternative fuel stations throughout the city since 2010.

“CDOT is very excited to be able to step up our support for sustainable fleet efficiency through the Drive Clean Chicago and Drive Clean Taxi programs,” CDOT Commissioner, Rebekah Scheinfeld said. “These green vehicles will help improve air quality, reduce petroleum use and build a cleaner transportation network for the city of Chicago."