Spotlight：Electric vehicles
【明報專訊】The Hong Kong government has been promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs), which do not have tailpipe emissions (尾氣排放). Replacing conventional vehicles with EVs helps improve roadside air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Public charging network is available in the city. It mainly serves as supplementary charging facilities and allows EV drivers to top up their batteries when they need to do so.
To promote the use of EVs in Hong Kong, the government had fully waived the first registration tax (首次登記稅) on electric private cars until 31 March 2017. As at that day, there were 10,997 EVs in the territory. From 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018, however, the tax concession is capped at ＄97,500. The new policy is aimed at curbing the growth in the number of cars and improving traffic. The government's ultimate objective is to have zero emission buses running in the territory.(sources: Environmental Protection Department)
■Game １
Eason is showing off his new electric car. Fill in the boxes and complete Pat's speech with different parts of the car.
windshield / number plate / tyre / headlight
“ Eason: Would you like a ride, Pat? ”
“ Pat: No thanks. Your car doesn't even have a 4. ______________ yet. And you forgot to charge it. ”
“ MoMo: Pat, our car is fully charged. Let's go! ”
■Game ２
Pat and MoMo are going to the park in their electric car. Which is the correct route?
(Answers on next text)
■English highway﹕ top up (something)
To top up (something) is to add to something in order to bring it up to the level you want.
e.g. You can top up your Octopus card at any MTR station.
■Glossary
replace (v) 取代
supplementary (adj) 補充的
waive (v) 豁免
curb (v) 抑制
[Smarties' Power English Vol 185]
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