California approved aggressive new rules on Friday to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by requiring automakers to put many more electric and hybrid vehicles on the Golden State's roads by 2025.

The regulations were approved unanimously by nine members of the state's powerful air-quality regulator, the California Air Resources Board, at a meeting in Los Angeles.

They are expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 34 percent and smog and soot pollutants by 75 percent by 2025, in part by putting 1.4 million electric, plug-in and hydrogen vehicles on the state's roads.

California regulators are considering approval of far-reaching anti-smog regulations that would require automakers to ensure that 15 per cent of all vehicles sold in the State by 2025 are zero emission vehicles, while remaining cars will be required to show dramatically improved fuel efficiency.

The California Clean Air Board had been scheduled to vote on the proposal on Thursday, but were still listening to a procession of speakers.

The country’s largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp today unveiled India’s first concept hybrid scooter, which is being developed in association with a foreign consultant, at the 11th Auto Expo.

“This is a first-ever series hybrid scooter from India. We are showing the rest of the world that we have arrived,” Hero MotoCorp Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Pawan Munjal, told reporters.

The concept hybrid scooter — LEAP — is being indigenously developed with the help of an international consultant, he added.

“Just imagine travelling from Connaught Place to Delhi international airport for an energy cost of Rs 10 and doing so in air-conditioned, climate controlled comfort in your own car without emitting a single molecule of harmful gases.”

With that preamble, Dr Pawan Goenka, President – Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra, set the stage for unveiling the concept electric car – NXR – from Mahindra Reva. The company, he said, was working on an integrated ecosystem to provide that kind of a transport solution.

Toyota Motor Corp. rolled out its latest hybrid model Monday in Japan, looking to regain traction in sales hit by disasters this year in Japan and Thailand.

In what looks to be a promising start, the Japanese car maker said it had received orders for 60,000 Aqua hybrid cars ahead of its launch, five times the monthly sales target of 12,000 vehicles, Koei Saga, a Toyota managing officer, told reporters at a media briefing on the new hybrid.

Toyota said it would take about four months for customers to take possession of the cars after placing an order.

Automakers Toyota and BMW on Thursday struck a partnership to share eco-friendly technologies, including in the joint development of lithium-ion batteries for next-generation electric cars, the companies said.

Under the deal, the German automaker will also provide diesel engines for Toyota as the Japanese auto giant looks to boost sales in Europe, where more than half of passenger cars are diesel powered.

Toyota has struggled to boost its European market share with its gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, despite its leading position in the low-emission technology.

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 U.S. Transportation Department is sending $112 million to projects across the country to help build energy-efficient transit vehicles and facilities, Secretary Ray LaHood said on Thursday.

The money, intended to create environment-friendly transportation options as well as construction jobs, will be shared among 46 projects.

The department received 266 funding requests for a total $1 billion, it said.

Pennsylvania projects will receive the most funding, $18 million for purchasing hybrid buses and spreading the use of vehicles fueled by natural gas.

Greater Noida: Fans queueing up to catch the Formula One action at the Buddh International Circuit can look forward to being ferried from the parking area to the venue on 'Green Cabs' -- three-wheelers that run on electricity. The cabs, launched today, are the first of their kind in the country. The cabs have built-in GPS systems, fare meter and a back-up call centre for cabs on demand.

With the conflict between auto rickshaw unions and drivers on one hand and the commuters on the other increasing, imaginative solutions are being sought.

One such proposal is using electricity-powered auto rickshaws in Mumbai.

Transport analyst Ashok Datar, who has been driving an electric car for the last five years, said electric auto rickshaws will contribute to improving the "noise and air pollution profile" of the city.