WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says that commercial charging stations for electric vehicles will be eligible to receive loan guarantees from the federal government as the Obama administration works to increase the number of stations. There are 16,000 currently in place.

The White House says that up to $4.5 billion in loan guarantees will be made available through the Energy Department. Under the program, the federal government assures a private lender that it will step in to repay the outstanding balance on a loan if a company defaults.

Brian Deese, a senior adviser to the president, says the federal government also will partner with state and local governments to purchase fleets of electric vehicles.

Deese says the federal government's purchasing power will grow the market and secure lower prices for taxpayers.