DENVER -- Colorado cities want greener cars, and federal greenbacks to fund them.

The Denver Metro Clean Cities Coalition will apply next month for a $15 million grant in federal stimulus plan dollars.

A total of 12 cities and more than two dozen governmental and private business partners have joined Denver in the proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy called Funding Electric Vehicle Expansion in the Rockies or FEVER.

If approved, the cities would agree to match the $15 million grant, providing a total of $30 million with the goal of using electricity, ethanol, natural gas, hydrogen, biodiesel and propane instead of gasoline and petroleum diesel.

The plan is to convert existing hybrid fleets, such as Denver's, into plug-in, rechargeable vehicles.

"Including the Mayor's Escape that he drives," said Sabrina Williams an environmental analyst and project manager.

A comparison of Ford Escape Hybrids highlights the difference a conversion can bring.

Currently, the hybrid SUV gets about 29 miles per gallon.

Once converted, the mpg jumps to 70.

"Each step about doubles the efficiency of the vehicle," Williams said. "I think we're looking at about a thousand vehicles total which would include about 700 conversions."

Hybrids Plus in Boulder is ready to make existing hybrids plug-in ready by utilizing a new battery that sits below the floor in the rear of the vehicle.

"The chemistry is the big difference. A standard Ford hybrid has a nickel metal hydride chemistry. And ours has a lithium ion phosphate which is a very high-energy density in the same amount of space," said Kathryn Miles, Chief Technology Officer for the company, which would hire new engineers if the grant is approved. "We're looking at about 150 jobs for the Boulder-Denver area."

The grant will be submitted May 29, Denver should know by July if it gets it. If funded, the effort would begin in September, Meghan Hughes, Communications Director for Denvers environmental health department, said.

"And we would be hoping to reduce at least a million gallons of diesel or gasoline fuel per year," Williams said.

The cars or SUV's can be charged in about an hour at home or at another location.

Several spots, from Red Rocks Amphitheater to Pueblo, are considered for plug-in locations using traditional, 110 volt receptors.

"Yes. We're going to put them where everybody in the public likes to go. the Zoo, the Art Museum, Red Rocks, Estes Park. We're hoping that you will just be able to park your car, plug in your vehicle and be confident that you'll be fully charged and ready to go once you return," Williams said.

For an engineer that helped the U.S. gain the lead in electric cars technology only to watch Japans take the lead, it is an important moment.

"This is super-exciting. I started working on plug-in electric vehicles in 1990. (I) Built them for GM, Ford and Chrysler, and then they promptly took them back and crushed them. So I'm very excited to see this project moving forward, finally," Miles said.

Once the electicity is used up, the car or SUV uses the gasoline, giving the driver extra time to reach a charging station.

This is the list of participating cities and other groups:

Municipalities: 1. Denver (lead local government) 2. DIA 3. City of Boulder 4. Boulder County 5. State Fleet 6. Ft. Collins 7. Englewood 8. Superior 9. Commerce City 10. Longmont 11. Lafayette 12. Durango 13. Aspen 14. Pueblo County 15. CU Boulder 16. Lakewood 17. CDOT 18. Broomfield? (they have not turned in their info yet)

Other partners on board or in discussion with the coalition include:

Other partners: HybridsPlus Burt Automotive Group Arapahoe Community College Xcel Energy (role TBD) Hertz rent a car Avis rent a car Enterprise rent a car

Q & A between Tyler Lopez and Meghan Hughes

Tyler - Any word on who you’re competing with, if anyone? I would assume other states are submitting similar proposals.

Meghan - We do know that other regions are looking to do similar projects, but there is funding for 20-30 projects across the country.

Tyler - How difficult was it to get these cities to agree to kick in money when most are seeing revenue collection drop?

Meghan - The current economic climate has made finding funds a challenge for everyone involved. The Department of Energy (who the grant would be through) recognizes this reality and has created a flexible cost-sharing provision that allows cities to leverage funds from existing equipment and resources rather than requiring a cash match. For example, in Denver, we'd be replacing or converting the vehicles that are scheduled to be replaced anyway.

Tyler - What’s the hope on job creation?

Meghan - The FEVER proposal is significantly focused on job creation—particularly green jobs. For example, Burt Automotive and Hybrids Plus, the manufacturers of the hybrid conversions, have a training program in place with Arapahoe Community College so students are trained how to work on these vehicles. Burt Automotive and Hybrids Plus are both Colorado companies who have indicated this project could allow them to increase their Colorado staff.

Tyler - Physically, where would these “plug-in stations” go?

Meghan - Some of the charging stations would be installed in government fleet parking areas for city fleet vehicles Additional public stations would be installed at various public destination locations like theaters, recreation centers, and libraries just to name a few. We are also excited to have several of the rental car agencies at DIA on board with this program. Installing charging facilities at DIA will allow these companies to integrate electric vehicles into their fleet in a more expedient fashion. It would allow customers who might not otherwise be interested in plug in hybrids to try them out. Once customers realize that this technology is reliable they will be more willing to consider purchasing these vehicles.

Tyler - I’ve seen empty spots in parking garages in Long Beach, CA, why will this project be more successful?

Meghan - The City fleet stations are being matched with fleet vehicles, so we know they will be used. The goal of the public stations is to address the “chicken and the egg” issue—PHEV are supposed to be hitting the main stream market in the next couple years (Chevy Volt, Toyota PHEV Prius, etc), but people will be less interested in adopting this technology if there is very limited infrastructure (if they can only charge in their home garage). So while the public stations probably will see limited use initially, this grant provides the opportunity to be ahead of the game. We’ll have a start on the infrastructure to support the vehicles and hopefully encourage more consumers to invest in this clean technology. A little additional information---California is the only state in the country allowed to develop their own vehicle standards and they installed charging stations in advance of the 1990 Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) Program believing they would be needed. Unfortunately, this program was changed before it came into effect and the focus on electric vehicles was substantially diminished. California has since developed a new standard for vehicles with a focus on greenhouse gas reductions that brings electric vehicles back into the fold. The CA Clean Cars standard has already been adopted by eleven other states and Colorado is currently evaluating whether or not to “opt-in.” The larger number of states participating sends a strong market signal to automotive manufacturers that the public is ready, willing and eager to drive these vehicles.

Tyler - What’s the Mayor’s feeling on this?

Meghan - The Mayor’s Office has been evaluating PHEVs for several years and is excited to take advantage of this opportunity that will benefit our economy and further the city’s commitment to sustainability. If awarded, the mayor will have his Ford Escape Hybrid converted to PHEV.

Tyler - How likely is it you’ll get or lose the grant?

Meghan - There is no way to know for sure, but we do have a very strong regional team of partners across the state. Also, the Department of Energy would like the awards to be geographically dispersed around the country (and so not being on the West or East coast is in our favor). The FEVER proposal is a partnership of municipalities, state agencies, non-profits, local businesses and universities that facilitates a true regional collaborative with a broad pool of resources and technical expertise. Therefore, we believe our proposal will be very strong and shall clearly demonstrate a large petroleum displacement that reduces dependency on foreign oil, creates green jobs and stimulates Colorado’s economy and achieves cost-effective environmental benefits.