Buses in Michigan get 'mini-hybrid' boost
Michigan will receive a $363,609 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to make transit buses across the state more fuel-efficient.
The grants were announced this week by Sens. Carl Levin, D-Detroit, and Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing.
The Michigan Department of Transportation will use the money from the federal stimulus act to equip buses with "mini-hybrid" components. The components will replace parts of a diesel-powered bus's powertrain with electric components that have been shown to improve fuel efficiency by more than 10 percent, according to a statement from Levin's office.
"This grant will help manufacturers by increasing demand for their goods, help transit agencies reduce their fuel costs, and help our environment by reducing harmful emissions," Levin said.
Added Stabenow: "We are protecting our future by making our public transportation fleet more environmentally friendly."
