http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-853343.mp3
Kansas City, MO – The White House announced more than $2.4 billion in grants for batteries and electric vehicles today. As KCUR's Maria Carter reports, some of that money is headed to Kansas City.
-----
US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke was on hand at the Kansas City Power and Light fleet garage to announce the grants. Smith Electric Vehicles will receive 10 million dollars as it builds a plant near the airport to make commercial vehicles. Smith is planning on as many as 100 trucks. KCP&L and other companies have already lined up to buy the plug in, electric trucks. Locally, Ford will get 30 million dollars to build plug in hybrid electric vehicles, including the Escape Hybrid made in Claycomo. And the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla is in line for 5 million to educate engineers in hybrid technology.