<p>In a historic shift, the state of California announced today a series of new rules that largely abandon the state's 12-year commitment requiring automobile companies to build and sell electric cars.</p>
<p>The California Air Resources Board said electric car technology has not lived up to its promise, and that instead, state smog officials will allow hybrid cars, including the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic and other soon-to-be released models, to qualify under its clean car rules.</p>