Electric Car

I. Read the text and say why the development of cleaner alternative fuels and advanced power systems for vehicles is of great importance nowadays.

An alternative fuel vehicleis a vehicle that runs on a fuel other than "traditional" petroleum fuels (petrol or diesel); and also refers to any technology of powering an engine that does not involve only petroleum (e.g. electric car, hybrid electric vehicles, solar powered). Because of a combination of factors, such as environmental concerns and high oil prices the development of cleaner alternative fuels and advanced power systems for vehicles has become a high priority for many governments and vehicle manufacturers around the world.

As of early 2011 more than 43 million alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles have been sold worldwide, compared to around 900 million cars and light trucks in use in the world in 2010.

II. Scan the text “Electric Car” and name the main advantages of electric vehicles.

An electric caris an automobile which is propelled by an electric motor, using electrical energy stored in batteries or another energy storage device. Electric cars were popular in the late-19th century and early 20th century, until advances in the internal combustion engine technology and the mass production of cheaper gasoline (petrol) vehicles led to a decline in the use of electric drive vehicle.

Despite their relatively slow speed, electric vehicles had a number of advantages over their early-1900s competitors. They did not have the vibration, smell, and noise associated with gasoline cars. They did not require gear changes, which for gasoline cars was the most difficult part of driving.

In the mid 2000s took place a renewed interest in the production of electric cars due mainly to concerns about rapidly increasing oil prices and the need to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

As of 2011 series production models available in some countries include the Tesla Roadster, Buddy, Mitsubishi and Nissan Leaf.

Notes:

decline, n. – спад

gasoline / petrol, n.–бензин

advantage, n. – преимущество

competitor, n. – конкурент

gear change, n.– переключение передач

curb, v. – сдерживать

propulsion system, n. – силовая установка

underpowered, adj. – недостаточной мощности