Calif. OKs Historic Electric Vehicle Mandate

California's powerful air-quality regulator on Friday approved sweeping new rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles by requiring automakers to put many more electric and hybrid vehicles on the state's roads.

The regulations, approved unanimously by the state's Air Resources Board at a meeting in Los Angeles, would also support development of an infrastructure for hydrogen fueling stations.

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