Green Investing News

January 2009 News Archives

Texas Finalizes Plan To Expand Wind Lines - 2009-01-30
Texas utility regulators on Thursday awarded nine companies rights to build $5 billion in new electric transmission lines to move power from windy areas to big cities like Dallas and San Antonio, a move aimed at doubling renewable energy supplies.

Mexico City braces for water rationing - 2009-01-30
Supplies will be cut or reduced to homes in many areas of the capital this weekend, making a scarce resource even scarcer. 'We are running out of water,' an official said.

California solar-power installations double - 2009-01-30
Solar power installations in most of California doubled last year compared with 2007 and continue at a record level, according to a report by the state Public Utilities Commission.

AFS Trinity Revs Up Prototype for 150 MPG Hybrid Electric SUV - 2009-01-29
AFS Trinity Power Corporation announced this week that it has upgraded its prototype for a high performance, high mileage green SUV with new technology to extend the vehicle's driving range.

U.S. Firms Buy Record Amount of Green Power in 2008 - 2009-01-29
Voluntary purchases of certified renewable energy by businesses in the Green-e Marketplace program hit a record high last year, according to the Center for Resource Solutions, the nonprofit that administers the third-party certification service.

Senate Proposal Would Boost "Plug-In" Incentive - 2009-01-29
Senate lawmakers on Tuesday proposed doubling the number of plug-in electric hybrids eligible for consumer tax credits as a way to stimulate sales when the vehicles hit showrooms late next year.

How Green Is My Wallet? Organic Food Growth Slows - 2009-01-29
As recession drives consumers to cut costs, their commitment to organic food has been tested with sales growth slowing -- but so far, sales are not falling. How green are our wallets?

"Green" Energy Sought As Fix For Economy And Planet - 2009-01-29
Investments and policies to combat climate change will put the world economy on the road to recovery and help cool the planet in the process, delegates at the World Economic Forum said on Wednesday.

IT Industry Joins Energy Efficiency Push - 2009-01-29
The IT industry is joining the push toward energy efficiency by developing new power management technology to curb the sector's harmful contribution to climate change, operators say.

California Takes Aim At Big, Energy-Hungry TVs - 2009-01-29
California may be still waiting for the go-ahead to force higher fuel economy in its cars, but the Golden State is moving to crack down on a less obvious energy glutton -- the television set.

Brazil's Lula, Obama To Work On Trade, Biofuels - 2009-01-28
President Barack Obama wants to work with Brazil on biofuels and pledged to advance global trade talks as a way to stoke economic growth, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's spokesman said on Monday.

China To Subsidize Purchases Of Clean-Energy Cars - 2009-01-28
China's central government will subsidize purchases of clean-energy vehicles for public fleets in 13 cities to help the automobile industry develop green technology, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

UK To Provide £2.3B Support Package for Auto Industry; Focus on Low-Carbon Initiatives - 2009-01-28
The UK government introduced a £2.3 billion (US$3.3 billion) package of measures to support its domestic auto industry, including guarantees to unlock loans of up to £1.3 billion European Investment Bank (EIB) guarantees for investment in lower carbon initiatives; and loans or loan guarantees to support of up to £1 billion of lending for lower carbon initiatives for non-EIB backed projects.

EPA Objects to South Dakota Coal Plant, Puts Approval on Ice - 2009-01-27
The Denver regional office of the EPA issued an objection to approval of the Big Stone II coal-fired power plant and said the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources has 90 days to resubmit its air quality permit for the proposed facility.

Wal-Mart's Incoming CEO To Expand Environmental Push - 2009-01-27
Wal-Mart Stores Inc's new leadership plans to expand efforts to reduce waste, use renewable energy and push suppliers to clean up their act, the company's incoming chief executive officer said on Monday.

UK Reports Point To Wind, Tide Power Deployment - 2009-01-27
Britain on Monday removed a key obstacle to installing up to 7,000 wind turbines in the North Sea, and narrowed a shortlist of projects for generating up to 9 gigawatts of tidal power.

U.S. Industrials See Green In Obama Stimulus Plan - 2009-01-27
Diversified U.S. manufacturers including General Electric Co and United Technologies Corp could be among the first companies to benefit from U.S. President Barack Obama's proposed $825 billion stimulus, but likely will not feel any effects until late this year.

USDA to Advance Development of Advanced Biofuels and Other Renewables; Provide Support for Struggling Corn-Ethanol Industry - 2009-01-26
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will advance R&D and pursue opportunities to support the development of advanced biofuels, wind power, and other renewable energy sources, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Vilsack was discussing his priorities as Secretary of Agriculture during a teleconference call with the media.

DARPA Awards SAIC $25M Prime Contract to Develop Algae-Derived JP-8 Fuel - 2009-01-26
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) a prime contract to help develop an affordable alternative to petroleum-derived jet fuel (JP-8) from agricultural and aquacultural feedstock materials.

Underwriters Laboratories Launches Green Verification Service - 2009-01-26
Underwriters Laboratories, the venerable product safety testing service, today is launching an environmental claims verification service, UL Environment Inc. The new unit was created to help companies and the public make sense of green claims and provide manufacturers with transparency and credibility in the marketplace.

Green Products Form the 'Sweet Spot' for Spending During Downtown: Report - 2009-01-26
Although consumers have dialed back their spending in a big way, a new study finds that when people do spend these days more than 75 percent consider environmental and social aspects in deciding what to buy and about a third are willing to pay more for those benefits.

DONG Energy Invests in Li-ion Battery Management Systems Company - 2009-01-23
DONG Energy is taking an undisclosed stake in Denmark-based LiTHIUM BALANCE A/S, a developer of lithium-ion battery management systems (BMS) for applications including electric and hybrid cars. DONG Energy is a Northern European energy company based in Denmark, and is primarily owned by the Danish government.

Wal-Mart Cuts Ribbon on Giant PV Array in Mexico, Canada’s First Green Store Prototype - 2009-01-23
Wal-Mart's international operations have installed the largest photovoltaic solar power system in Latin America and opened Canada's first store to serve as a high-performance prototype for green building.

New England Firm Says Its New Waste-to-Energy System is a GEM - 2009-01-23
The IST Energy Corporation has launched a mobile green waste-to-energy conversation system and says its new GEM can serve any site that produces at least two tons of trash a day.

Expects Fast Obama Move On Car Pollution - 2009-01-23
California's top climate change official on Wednesday predicted President Barack Obama's administration would let the state impose its own tough limits on greenhouse gas emissions from cars by May, in what would be a victory for environmentalists.

TM4 Partners with Tata Motors and Miljø in EV Project - 2009-01-22
Miljø Innovasjon, a subsidiary of Tata Motors, has selected TM4, a subsidiary of Hydro-Quebec, to provide electric motors, power electronics and vehicle controllers for an electric car demonstration program to be launched in Norway in 2009-2010. Electrovaya is providing the Li-ion batteries.

General Electric to Open Ecomagination Centre in Masdar City - 2009-01-22
General Electric has signed on as a partner in Masdar City, committing to build an Ecomagination Centre in the world's first carbon neutral, zero waste, renewable-energy-powered city.

California Asks EPA To Review Car Emissions Waiver - 2009-01-22
California on Wednesday asked the new head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider the state's request, denied by the previous administration, to impose its own tough limits on climate warming emissions from cars.

The Climate Group to Develop Low Carbon Cities in China - 2009-01-21
The Climate Group plans to develop 15 to 20 low carbon cities in China as part of the organization's drive to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and battle climate change.

Wind Power Jobs To Double In EU By 2020 - 2009-01-21
Employment in the wind power industry will more than double in the European Union to around 330,000 in 2020, according to a report issued on Tuesday.

UK to Spend £250M for Low Carbon Vehicles - 2009-01-20
The UK Government will spend £250 million (US$354 million) on a wide-ranging package of measures to promote ultra-low carbon vehicles. Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon announced the move alongside the government’s decision to grant approval for a third runway at Heathrow Airport—a highly-charged issue in the UK.

Masdar Institute Becomes a Member of the MIT Energy Initiative - 2009-01-20
The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology of Abu Dhabi has become the inaugural founding public member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Initiative, MIT announced yesterday.

USDA Awards $80M Loan Guarantee to Range Fuels - 2009-01-19
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded Range Fuels, Inc. a conditional commitment for an $80 million loan guarantee to assist construction of Range Fuels’ commercial cellulosic ethanol plant near Soperton, Georgia, the first phase of which is under construction and on track to begin production in 2010.

City Of Newark, Delaware First US Electric Utility to Approve Use of V2G - 2009-01-19
The City of Newark, Delaware has become the first electric utility in the United States to approve the use of an electric vehicle to store and provide power for the local electric grid.

LA Community Colleges Ramp Up Green Building Projects - 2009-01-19
The Los Angeles Community College District has approved more than $400 million in construction, design and technology contracts to upgrade its nine campuses in projects that accelerate the district's green building program.

Austin Adopts 'Zero-Waste' Plan - 2009-01-19
The city has committed to reducing per capita solid waste sent to landfills and incinerators by 20 percent by 2012 and diverting 90 percent by 2040.

Tesco Opens First 'Low Carbon' Store - 2009-01-19
United Kingdom retailer Tesco opened its first low carbon store that will use 70 percent less energy than a similar structure built just three years earlier.

While Everything Else Stops, Green Still Means Go - 2009-01-19
Unemployment is up and spending is down in most homes and businesses across the country. In an economy where companies have to justify every dollar spent, a lot of people may assume that investment in green initiatives would be plummeting. But that's not the case.

Stimulus Bill Pushes Renewable Energy - 2009-01-19
The $825 billion economic stimulus package unveiled by Democrats in the House of Representatives on Thursday contains billions of dollars in tax breaks for renewable energy as well as spending for energy efficiency and transmission

BMW Group to Loan 10 MINI E EVs to New York City - 2009-01-16
The BMW Group will loan a fleet of 10 MINI E electric zero-emissions cars to the City of New York. New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg made the announcement during his State-of-the-City speech.

Verenium Announces First Commercial Cellulosic Ethanol Project; 36M Gallons per Year - 2009-01-16
Verenium Corporation will build its first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol facility in Highlands County, Florida. The Company has entered into long-term agreements with Lykes Bros. Inc., a multi-generation Florida agri-business to provide the agricultural biomass for conversion to fuel.

Coca-Cola Enterprises' Hybrid Delivery Fleet to Become Biggest in North America - 2009-01-16
Coca-Cola Enterprises, the largest bottler of Coke beverages, is more than doubling the size of its hybrid electric delivery fleet and will have 327 green trucks on the road in the U.S. and Canada.

Green Jobs Could Top 37M in 2030: Report - 2009-01-16
Green collar jobs in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors employed more than 9 million Americans in 2007, producing more than $1 trillion in sales, according to a new report.

Better Place Enters Electric Car Network Partnership with Ontario - 2009-01-15
Better Place has entered a partnership with the government of Ontario to help bring an electric car network to the province and create a model for the adoption of electric cars in Canada. Ontario is one of North America’s largest car producing regions.

GM’s Burns Calls for New US Public/Private Partnership for Rapid Commercialization of Electrically Driven and Connected Vehicle Technologies; the New Automotive DNA - 2009-01-15
During his speech at the Chairman’s Luncheon of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) 88th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, Larry Burns, GM vice president for Research & Development and Strategic Planning, called for the creation of a new public/private partnership to rapidly commercialize US automotive technologies in two strategic and converging areas: electrically driven vehicles and connected vehicles.

Vehicle Scrappage Bill Introduced in Both US Senate and House - 2009-01-15
A measure introduced by US Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Charles Schumer (D-NY) would establish a national voucher program to encourage drivers to trade in older, less fuel efficient cars, trucks or SUVs for a more fuel-efficient vehicles or to use mass transit.

Growth in Energy Use Could Drop 22 Percent by 2030 Under Right Conditions: Report - 2009-01-15
With the help from efficiency programs, energy users in the U.S. could reduce the growth rate of consumption by 22 percent in the next 20 years -- a reduction equivalent to 14 times the electricity used annually in New York City, according to a new report.

DryerMiser Promises to Cut Dryer Energy Use in Half - 2009-01-15
A device that says it can cut dryer energy use and reduce drying time has passed safety tests and will be available this year.

Tesla May Use Evonik Battery Cell Widely - 2009-01-15
Electric car startup Tesla Motors Inc said on Tuesday it may use battery cells produced by Evonik Degussa GmbH, an affiliate of Daimler AG, for its own cars if they proved a better option than products from its current Japanese suppliers.

E.On Gets Approval For Onshore Windfarm In Scotland - 2009-01-15
E.ON, headquartered in Germany, has won approval after four years to build its biggest onshore wind farm in Camster in northern Scotland, which could power up to 35,000 homes, the company said on Wednesday.

Johnson Controls-Saft in 5-Year Li-ion Pack Supply Agreement with Azure Dynamics - 2009-01-14
Johnson Controls-Saft (JCS) and Azure Dynamics Inc (AZD) have entered a five-year supply agreement under which JCS will provide a Li-ion battery pack and pack electronics to Azure Dynamics for use in its commercial vehicle hybrid systems.

BYD Shows Production F3DM PHEV and F6DM in Detroit; Introduces Battery-Electric e6 Crossover - 2009-01-14
China’s BYD Auto showed the production version of its F3DM (dual mode) plug-in hybrid electric vehicle at the North American International Auto Show. The PHEV, which has gone on-sale in China, will begin US sales in 2011, according to the company.

Wal-Mart, WEC Team Up for Greener, Cleaner Production in Central America - 2009-01-14
The World Environment Center and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. are working together to foster cleaner production and improved energy efficiency practices among more than two dozen company suppliers in El Salvador and Guatemala.

Stanford University to Create $100M Green Energy Research Institute - 2009-01-14
Stanford University is establishing a $100 million research institute to focus on energy issues and work toward development of more affordable and efficient ways to capture the power of the sun and store, deliver and use energy in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Waste Management Sets Baseline for Environmental Plans - 2009-01-14
In its 2008 corporate sustainability report, Waste Management looks at its long-term environmental goals and sets a baseline for each of its four main initiatives.

EU Assembly Votes To Ban Toxic Pesticides - 2009-01-14
European Parliament members voted on Tuesday to ban some of the most toxic and dangerous pesticides to human health.

Rolls-Royce To Start Tidal Power Turbine Tests - 2009-01-14
British engines and power systems maker Rolls-Royce will test a one megawatt turbine to generate electricity from tidal power next year, Ric Parker, director of research and technology, said

2010 Honda Insight Hybrid Makes World Debut at the North American International Auto Show - 2009-01-13
Utilizing the fifth generation of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid technology and new, more cost-efficient production methods, the 2010 Insight offers an estimated EPA city/highway/combined fuel-economy rating of 40/43/41 miles per gallon US.

Toyota Reveals Third-Generation Prius; 50 mpg - 2009-01-13
The new version of the world’s top-selling hybrid vehicle (more than one million sold in 44 countries) offers better mileage ratings and enhanced performance, as well as new design features.

Coca-Cola Enterprises to Cut Electricity Use by 5.6M KWH a Year in California - 2009-01-13
Coca-Cola Enterprises expects to slash its consumption of electricity by 5.6 million kilowatt-hours a year as a result of an energy efficiency overhaul of lighting systems at 24 facilities in the state.

Chrysler Introduces New 200C EV Concept, New Jeep EV Concept and Update on Three Earlier EV Concepts - 2009-01-12
Chrysler unveiled the 200C EV Concept, the newest Chrysler ENVI electric-drive vehicle , at the North American International Auto Show. The 200C EV, based on a shortened version of Chrysler’s rear-wheel-drive platform, features a range-extended electric drive system that delivers up to 40 all-electric miles, with a total range of up to 400 miles.

Ford Rolls Out Accelerated Plan for HEVs, PHEVs and BEVs - 2009-01-12
Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford unveiled an accelerated plan to bring next-generation hybrid-electric (HEV); a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV); and battery-electric (BEV) vehicles to market quickly and more affordably during the next four years.

Johnson Controls Introduces re3 Concept Plug-in Hybrid at Detroit Show - 2009-01-12
Johnson Controls unveiled its re3 concept plug-in hybrid electric vehicle at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

Toyota Concept EV Based on the iQ; Company Confirms Plans to Launch Urban Commuter BEV by 2012, Li-ion Prius PHEV in Late 2009 - 2009-01-12
Toyota’s FT-EV concept imagines an urban dweller, driving up to 50 miles between home, work and other forms of public transportation, such as high-speed rail.

Australian Environmental Groups, Unions Call for Green Stimulus Package - 2009-01-12
Australian environmentalists and trade unions say their government needs to take a cue from the strong green elements of President-elect Barack Obama's proposed economic stimulus package and act swiftly to adopt similar measures to fire up their country's economy.

Carbon Market Worth $118B in 2008 - 2009-01-12
Despite the slumping economy, the value of the worldwide carbon market soared 84 percent in 2008 to reach $118 billion, and could reach $150 billion this year, according to New Carbon Finance.

Researchers Develop Car Parts From Coconut Fibers - 2009-01-12
Baylor University researchers have found a way to make car parts with coconut fibers, a process that utilizes waste coconut husks and would increase income for farmers

Cushman & Wakefield Partners with EPA to Green Real Estate - 2009-01-09
Commercial real estate services giant Cushman & Wakefield has signed on with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce the environmental impact of the more than 3,200 offices and buildings the firm manages in the U.S.

Deepwater To Start Building R.I. Wind Farm In 2010 - 2009-01-09
The project would generate about 1.3 million megawatt-hours a year or about 15 percent of the state's electricity use.

Japan Mulls Expanding Green Business Market - 2009-01-08
Japan aims to expand the "green business" market and create up to 1 million new jobs, the environment ministry said on Wednesday, to simultaneously fight climate change and boost the economy amid a global downturn.

NY Gov Targets Clean Energy And Health Despite Deficit - 2009-01-08
New York state should fight obesity, help more residents get health insurance and revive the upstate economy with a research consortium for hybrid car batteries and energy storage, Governor David Paterson proposed on Wednesday.

Amazing solar-powered fridge invented by British student in a potting shed helps poverty-stricken Africans - 2009-01-08
Emily Cummins, 21, came up with the idea while working on a school project in her grandfather's potting shed. The fridge is now improving the lives of thousands of poverty-stricken Africans.

Plumbing and Standards Groups Unite on Water Efficiency - 2009-01-08
Five national plumbing trade, manufacturing, product and standards groups have agreed to join forces to research and develop water efficient plumbing.

Grand Canyon Visitor Center Goes Solar - 2009-01-08
The roof and grounds of the Visitor Center near the Grand Canyon's South Rim will soon host some 84 solar panels that will help power the building frequented by an estimated 4.5 million sightseers a year.

Perdue Farms and EPA Ink Pact to Protect Water - 2009-01-08
Poultry producer Perdue Farms Inc. and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency signed an agreement this week that is intended to help protect the waters in the mid-Atlantic and Southest from contamination.

Mandatory CSR Reporting for Denmark's Largest Companies - 2009-01-08
Hundreds of the largest private and state-owned companies and institutional investors in Denmark must include corporate social responsibility information in their annual financial reports beginning in 2010.

Procter & Gamble Plans More Compact Detergents - 2009-01-08
Over the next five years, Procter & Gamble U.K. will reduce how many formats its laundry detergents come in, narrowing them down to versions that use fewer resources, reported MarketingWeek.

A123Systems Seeking $1.84B in ATVMIP Loans to Support Construction of Li-ion Plants in US - 2009-01-07
A123Systems has submitted an application under the US Department of Energy’s $25-billion Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program (ATVMIP) to qualify for $1.84 billion in direct loans to support the construction of new lithium-ion battery manufacturing facilities in the United States, with the first construction location in southeast Michigan.

Green Fuels, Cars Get Boost from Cow Pie Power, the Queen and New EV Charging Hub - 2009-01-07
The drive to green mobility got a boost into the New Year with news of heightened efforts to produce fuels from a variety of waste products, word that Queen Elizabeth's Bentleys are going green and the launch of an electric vehicle charging network in Northern California.

South Korea to Invest $38 Billion in Green Projects - 2009-01-07
South Korea is planning a $38 billion investment in what it's calling its Green New Deals, an effort to boost jobs and the economy, Agence France-Presse reported.

PepsiCo Touts Water, Energy Savings from 2007 - 2009-01-07
In 2007, PepsiCo saved 5 billion liters of water and nearly 500 million kilowatt hours of electricity compared to its resource use in 2006. In its fourth sustainability report, PepsiCo gives some examples of how its operations around the world have reduced, water, fuel and energy use, as well as spread sustainability throughout its supply chain.

RGGI States to Develop Low Carbon Fuel Standard - 2009-01-06
Eleven states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions will join forces to develop a low carbon fuel standard to reduce vehicle-related greenhouse gas emissions.

Tata Motors in Talks to Make Micro-Hybrid Version of Nano - 2009-01-06
Tata Motors is in talks to develop a micro-hybrid version of its affordable, though not-yet available, Nano car, according to Indian news channel CNBC-TV18.

Burst pipe leaves Lauderdale Lakes homes without water - 2009-01-06
A pipe burst on Northwest 36th Terrace and 32nd Avenue north of Oakland Park Boulevard and left a sinkhole and gallons of water gushing up from the ground.

Toshiba powers up solar energy division - 2009-01-06
Toshiba has entered the solar energy market in a big way with the launch of a dedicated Photovoltaic Systems Division.

Xcel Charts Its Course for Energy Efficiency in Colorado for 2009 - 2009-01-05
Xcel Energy, Colorado's largest utility company, has mapped out an ambitious energy efficiency plan for 2009 that the firm says would save an amount of power equivalent to that generated by a new unit at a coal-fired plant.

Energy, Green Groups Call for Stimulus to Jumpstart Economy, Efficiency - 2009-01-05
Environmental and energy groups, including the association that represents almost 70 percent of the country's utilities, are urging swift passage of a stimulus package that includes provisions for energy efficiency programs that they say would help jumpstart an economic recovery through the creation of green jobs.

Indiana Hospital to Install Green Roof Atop New Tower - 2009-01-05
Living roofs help buildings stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter and in doing so reduce energy costs for the structure. They also aid stormwater management and retention. And they help mitigate the heat island effect created by a concentration of buildings with conventional roofs.

Dynegy Ends Coal-Plant Venture With LS Power - 2009-01-05
Power company Dynegy Inc will end its power plant development joint venture with LS Power Associates because of tough credit markets and regulatory hurdles in building new coal-fired plants, the company said on Friday.

Big Solar Power Plant Planned For Northwest China - 2009-01-05
Two Chinese companies on Friday announced plans to build a solar power plant in northwestern China that could one day be the largest photovoltaic solar project in the world.

Japan Geothermal Projects Pick Up After 20 Years: Report - 2009-01-05
Mitsubishi Materials Corp, Electric Power Development Co, or J-Power, Nittetsu Mining Co Ltd and Kyushu Electric Power Co will lead the way, and the government plans to step up support for geothermal power station development, it added.

EnerDel Applies for $480M in US Loan Funds to Expand Li-ion Manufacturing Capability - 2009-01-02
Targeting Capacity for 1.2M HEV Packs Annually by 2015

California Challenges Endangered Species Rule Changes - 2009-01-02
Charging that the outgoing Bush administration is trying to gut the Endangered Species Act, California has sued to stop the federal government from going ahead with mining, logging and other environmentally sensitive projects without consulting scientists.

Beijing's New Year Resolution: Scrap Polluting Cars - 2009-01-02
Beijing, beset by choking traffic and heavy air pollution, will take more than 350,000 high-polluting vehicles off inner city streets from Thursday, local media reported.

Beijing's New Year Resolution: Scrap Polluting Cars - 2009-01-02
Beijing, beset by choking traffic and heavy air pollution, will take more than 350,000 high-polluting vehicles off inner city streets from Thursday, local media reported.