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.

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.

A rapid rise in air pollution from fossil fuels and biomass burning has worsened winter smog and extended its duration in many parts of South Asia, scientists and officials have said.

In Bangladesh, India and Nepal the temperature has plummeted and clouds of fog and smoke hang in the sky blocking sunlight for several days.

Normal lives have been affected with many flights diverted and suspended and trains delayed because of low visibility.

A U.S. federal appeals court on Friday issued a last-minute order to delay the January 1 implementation of stricter federal limits on pollution from coal-fired plants, providing a temporary win for utilities worried about the cost of implementation.

In a blow to environmental groups, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit granted a request to stay the Environmental Protection Agency's Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, pending further court review.

A U.S. federal appeals court on Friday issued a last-minute order to delay the January 1 implementation of stricter federal limits on pollution from coal-fired plants, providing a temporary win for utilities worried about the cost of implementation.

In a blow to environmental groups, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit granted a request to stay the Environmental Protection Agency's Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, pending further court review.

MINISTER OF State for Environment and Forests Jayanthi Natarajan could land in a soup in the Lok Sabha for breach of privilege, for no fault of hers. On 29 August, in a written reply on the status of bio-medical waste in India, she submitted incorrect data — statistical evidence supplied by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for the past three years. Collating data from all the states, it claims that India treats more than 70 percent of the bio-medical waste it generates. If only it were true.