Lesson 6 : Hybird Electric Vehicle

[MTM 운영진]

Hybird Electric Vehicle

North America is experiencing an energy crisis. Widespread use of gasoline powered vehicles is a primary cause of the crisis. The demand for petroleum products to fuel gasoline powered cars increases the cost of operating automobiles. This increase results from a rise in the price of foreign petroleum product, on which North America has become dependent.

Gasoline powered vehicles also contribute to environmental problems. Emissions from gasoline powered engines are among the causes of depletion of the ozone layer in the earth's atmosphere. Environmental agencies, such as the David Suzuki Foundation, confirm‎! that depletion of the ozone layer results in global warning.

What can be done to solve these problems?

The hybird electric vehicle(HEV) offers a cleaner means of transportation, using less gasoline and producing fewer emissions. The word hybird means "of mixed origin of composition," and the HEV is just that, combining a gasoline powered engine with an electric motor. Because it is not completely electric, it still produces some harmful emissions, but these are cut by one-third to one -half. However, the HEV performs as well as a gasoline powered automobile.

One problem with the hybird engine is that it does not have the same towing strength as a gasoline powered engine. This means that the body of an HEV has to weigh less, so it must be produced from lighter weight sheet metal. For example, the frame of the  Honda Insight HEV is made from special aluminum, offering light weight, strength and rigidity.

Another problem is that the price of an HEV still is greater than that of a normal car. Because the technology is new, HEV production costs are high. Market studies by automobile manufactures indicate that drivers in North America are not yet ready to spend more on an HEV. Ford representative Jim Swanson says: "We need to find a way to make the HEV affordable. Then we will see a change in the attitude of drivers.''

Honda and Toyota already produce hybird vehicles. More than 35,000 Toyota Prius HEV are on the road in Japan. The 2002 model of the Honda insight won the Excellence in Environment Engineering Award. 'We are encouraged by the American public's growing acceptance of this new technology," says Tom Elliot, executive vice president of American Honda.

The HEV could be the economic and environmental solution that everyone is looking for.

.Comprehension

  Multiple Choice:

1. What is the primary cause of the energy crisis that North America is experiencing?

a. the cost of the petroleum

b. the emissions from cars

c. the general use of cars

2. Why is it becoming more and more expensive to operate cars?

a. Because there is less petroleum available.

b. Because the price of petroleum is increasing.

c. Because there are more and more cars on the road.

3. Why does the HEV produce some harmful emissions?

a. Because part of it is still using gasoline.

b. Because it is made of special aluminum.

c. because it would be too expensive to create an entirely electrical vehicle.

4. One problem with the HEV is that:

a. It does not perform as well as a traditional car.

b. It does not drive like a traditional car.

c. It does not have the same pulling strength as a traditional car.

5. These are cut by one-third to one-half.

a. They are cut by almost 1/3.

b. They are cut by almost half.

c. They are cut more than half.

6. Emissions from gasoline powered engines are:

a. one of the causes of damage to the ozone layer

b. the most import!ant cause of damage to the ozone layer

c. the only cause if damage to the ozone layer

7. North American drivers are not ready to buy an HEV because:

a. It does not have the same towing strength as a traditional car.

b. It still produces some harmful emissions

c. It is still too expensive.

. Discussion Questions

 1.  Do you think it's a good idea to make vehicles that will replace traditional cars? Why?

 2.  What are the negative environmental impacts of gasoline powered vehicles?

 3.  What's the best fuel to run a car on?

 4.  Do you think we are too dependant on oil?

 5.  What can be done to solve pollution problems?

 6.  What's the best idea you've heard to cut down pollution?

 7.  What's the worst idea?

 8.  Which of the following would be the best to run a car on:

      -Electricity, Hydrogen, solar power, soju?

 9.  Would you consider switching to an HEV vehicle?

10. How about driving a smaller cars? Do you think people would accept this?

     Why? Why not?