Feb 20, 2004 12:00 PM, from staff and wire reports

New York Gov George E Pataki has announced the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is awarding more than $2 million in federal money to Manhattan Beer Distributors, FedEx Express, and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corp (BOEDC) to introduce low-emissions vehicles into their fleets.

Manhattan Beer Distributors will receive $1,033,067 in federal financing to convert 15 of its Brookyn-based trucks to run on compressed natural gas and construct a new CNG refueling facility.

FedEx will receive $648,000 to purchase and deploy 10 hybrid electric delivery trucks. BOEDC will receive $379,200 to deploy 10 battery electric shuttle buses and seven charging stations in the Bronx.