CHICAGO (AP) -- A company that makes commercial vehicles powered entirely by electricity for FedEx, Coca-Cola, DHL and other corporations is opening a manufacturing plant in Chicago.
Smith Electric Vehicles Corp.'s new plant is expected to create hundreds of jobs and boost the city's growing battery and electric vehicle sector.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel welcomed the company's decision and praised Smith as an innovative player in an industry that will be an important part of Chicago's future.
The city has a $15 million incentive program designed to encourage the conversion of commercial vehicle fleets from diesel to all-electric, zero-emission vehicles.
Smith is based in Kansas City, Mo.
