Asian countries are running out of time to combat air pollution, campaigners said Wednesday, as smart car firms converged in Hong Kong to promote clean energy vehicles.

The China International New Energy Vehicle (CINEV) show displays the latest products from major Chinese manufacturers and French firm Renault and takes place in a city where 3,000 people die of air pollution every year, according to a 2013 Hong Kong University report.

In Hong Kong there is increasing concern over pollution levels, with the government's monitoring system frequently measuring the air as hazardous.

"In terms of air pollution in Hong Kong…this is really the biggest health crisis", Hong Kong-based Clean Air Network chief executive officer, Kwong Sum-yin, told AFP.

Government proposals to reduce emissions include a plan to replace more than 80,000 older commercial diesel vehicles between 2014 and 2019.

Cities across China, India and Pakistan dominate global pollution rankings.

"All the Asian countries really need to act right now, otherwise we'll really reach the point of no return," Kwong said.

"It's still the mentality to develop first and then fix the problem later, but we don't really have that timeline anymore."

The smart car show takes place less than a week before a major climate summit in Paris, which 147 world leaders will attend.

"We need to have concrete cooperation from this conference," former French prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, who opened the CINEV show Tuesday, told AFP.

"We have to develop new initiatives the year after the conference and we have to act very quickly."

The November 30-December 11 Paris conference is tasked with signing the first-ever truly universal pact to curb global warming.

The CINEV show closes Thursday.

Tesla taking orders for $80,000 electric SUV
San Francisco (AFP) Nov 24, 2015 –

Tesla on Tuesday began taking orders for its Model X electric sport utility vehicle with a starting price of $80,000.

The Model X price can quickly ramp with extras such as self-driving capabilities, more powerful batteries, or "ludicrous speed."

Model X SUV come in three models and are not expected to ship before the middle of next year.

The Model X will be the second electric vehicle that will be coming off the innovative car maker's production lines. It is also two years behind schedule.

The X has a surprisingly rounded and tapered profile for an SUV compared to the more massive frames and rectangular lines of its competitors.

This car is full of gadgets. The wing doors can be opened from a distance, with sensors adjusting the angle to avoid other cars parked close by, and there is a special "biodefense" air filtration button.

More than 20,000 reservations have reportedly been placed for Tesla's SUV since it was unveiled in September at the company's plant in the Northern California city of Fremont.

Tesla loyalists, the list of which includes Google co-founder Sergey Brin, have been able to get their hands on more expensive limited edition Founders and Signature versions of the Model X, according to Tesla.

The electric car maker hopes to expand its customer base, and become profitable, by expanding its line-up.

Tesla has yet to turn a profit, despite having won over stock market investors and public opinion.