"California Sets Landmark Rules To Cut Auto Emissions"

"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 program would also mandate the development of an infrastructure for hydrogen fueling stations.

'Californians have always loved their cars ... Now we're going to have cleaner and more efficient cars to love,' CARB Chairman Mary Nichols said on a conference call with reporters following the vote. 'This really is a historic new chapter in California's history with the automobile.'"

Nichola Groom reports for Reuters January 30, 2012.

SEE ALSO:

"California Orders Hike in Number of Super Clean Cars" (Los Angeles Times)