AM Greenlist: the race for a plug-in hybrid

>> Toyota will offer a plug-in hybrid by 2010. However, the new vehicle will be available only to commercial customers at first. No word on when consumers will get to buy one of these. Earlier: Activists call Toyota to embrace Cali's fuel efficiency standards 

>> In contrast, GM's much touted Chevy Volt still isn't near ready for market, with the release moved from 2009 to a fuzzy late-2010 figure. GM is now focusing more on ethanol. Earlier: Chevy, the new savings leader?

>> The fight over ficus trees on 4th St. in Santa Monica rages on, with city officials now saying they misused the term "diseased" in describing the trees. Earlier: Will starve for ficus trees.

>> Santa Monica's farmers market rides are officially ending. After a public meeting and a City Council vote, the Big Blue Bus has announced that, because of very low ridership, the Downtown Farmers' Market Ride and the Pico Farmers' Market Ride will make their last trips Feb. 2.

>> New water laws could curb growth because they require local water agencies to assess water needs for large projects; state Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) says the laws require cities to be realistic about how ambitious developments can strain water supplies to the limit. Earlier: Rains didn't end L.A.'s water shortage