Natural Gas-Powered Cabs Coming To Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Commuters will soon see a taxicab that doesn't run on gasoline on the streets of Chicago.

In March, Ford Transit Connect cabs will hit city streets. They run on compressed natural gas, a fuel with lower greenhouse emissions than gasoline.

Taxi Medallion Management is affiliated with Yellow Cab Chicago, and the company bought the small commercial vans as part of its goal to cut its total emissions by 25 percent.

Ford and the cab company announced the deal last week. The vans are due to be delivered in March.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says natural gas is less expensive than gasoline and burns cleaner, giving off up to 90 percent fewer smog-producing pollutants.

The EPA says it also produces 30 percent to 40 percent less greenhouse gas emissions.

But there is a catch – the taxis require special pumping stations.

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