The central government has allocated 6 billion yuan ($949 million) to subsidise consumer purchases of fuel-saving cars, Xinhua News Agency reported late on Wednesday, putting a cumulative figure for the first time on the handouts as it moves to cut emissions in the world's biggest auto market.

Beijing started offering a 3,000 yuan rebate on consumer purchases of small, fuel-efficient cars in June 2010, but has not previously indicated the total cost of the subsidy.

Governments, carmakers and drivers must push for progress in green vehicle technology to help the environment, and global economic woes make it even more important to up the pressure, politician, actor and green car advocate Arnold Schwarzenegger said.

Carmakers are rushing to get electric cars and hybrids on the roads in a bid to meet toughening emissions regulations, whilst relying on government support in the form of charging infrastructure and consumer incentives to win over drivers.

New Delhi: Despite the presence of a strong public transport system, the capital has been witnessing a growth in the number of private vehicles. “We have introduced battery operated cars and bikes but unfortunately, people refuse to switch to other modes of transport,” said chief minister Sheila Dikshit. She was speaking at a session on regional efforts for sustainability at the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit.

The Obama administration proposed on Wednesday doubling auto fuel efficiency to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, a White House energy priority that has come under scrutiny in Congress.

The plan grew out of an uneasy agreement between the administration, automakers and environmental groups to reduce U.S. dependence on oil imports and cut tailpipe emissions.

The Obama administration has proposed doubling fuel efficiency standards to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025 to save motorists money at the pump and limit air pollution.

The plan is supported by environmental groups and by the auto industry, which estimates the changes will cost it $157bn, but they have come in for criticism from some lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

The administration said the improved standards would have tangible benefits, saving consumers more than $1,700bn at the pump, or more than $8,000 per vehicle, by 2025.

Toyota Motor Corp. is considering shifting production of key components used to make its fuel-efficient hybrids and other alternative-energy vehicles to China, potentially boosting that nation's green-car technology ambitions.

For General Motors and the Obama administration, the new Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid represents the automotive future, the culmination of decades of high-tech research financed partly with federal dollars.

But as G.M. prepares to start selling them here by the end of this year, the Chinese government is putting heavy pressure on the company to share some of the car’s core technology.

Toyota Motor Corp unveiled a new Camry sedan for Japan on Monday, offering it only as a gasoline-electric model to jump-start sluggish sales of the model in its hybrid-friendly home market.

The Camry has been the best-selling car in the United States for the last nine years, but Japan accounts for just 1 percent of the model's global sales due to shrinking demand for sedans in favor of subcompacts or minivans.

German industrial conglomerate Siemens AG said Wednesday it has agreed with Sweden’s Volvo Car Corp. on a strategic cooperation agreement on electric cars.

The focus will be on the joint development of electrical-drive technology, power electronics and charging technology as well as the integration of those systems into Volvo C 30 Electric cars, Munich-based Siemens said in a statement.

It added that the first vehicles will be on the test tracks at the end of this year.