Fuel-efficient and eco-friendly trains now serve Amtrak’s routes in the Midwest.

The trains were purchased with $216.5 million in federal funding and provide a 90 percent reduction in emissions with a two-third reduction in fuel consumption over the previous trains.

California-based company Siemens built the trains, which feature a smoother ride, enhanced speed capability and new safety features. The 33 new trains leave Chicago on routes to locations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri and Michigan, serving around 2.6 million customers last year. The trains also have lower maintenance costs, quieter operation and faster acceleration and braking.

“We look forward to the improved efficiency and reliability that the Siemens Charger locomotives bring to intercity passenger rail services across the Midwest,” said David Simon, director of the bureau of transit, local roads, railroads and harbors, Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

“These are among the nation’s cleanest locomotives and we’re proud to have not only worked closely with Amtrak and the state DOTs to bring these to the Midwest but also our robust chain of suppliers from across the country,” said Armin Kick, vice president for locomotives, Siemens Mobility.