REAL-LIFE SKILLS 5 PAir WOrK read the given information, then discuss and decide which type of electric vehicle would best suit either your personal or your family s requirements. give a reason for your choices. if necessary, go online to help you with your research. Consider the following questions: Are you looking for a small passenger car, a SUV, a minivan, a station wagon, or a pick-up? Where do you usually drive? City or highway? How many km per month? Do you commute daily, for example, to and from work and school, or longer journeys? What is your budget? Where are the charging points? What are the running costs? What is the lifetime of the battery? What are the maintenance costs? How much can you save on fuel costs? Electric vehicles pros and cons over petrol/diesel vehicles PROS CONS Cheap running costs with recharging being less expensive than refuelling Zero road tax or congestion charge Cheaper to maintain Long lifespan Zero emissions and more eco friendly Expensive purchase cost Limited range Recharging can take time Range anxiety There are three types of electric vehicle on the market these days: all-electric Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) conventional, non-plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs). to fall back on: fare affidamento running cost: costo di gestione BEVs PHEVs HEVs All-electric Powered just by a large battery Fill with electricity only (no petrol or diesel) Best for the environment Greatest fuel savings Part electric, part traditional ICE engine Powered by both a medium size battery and a petrol/diesel engine Fill with electricity and petrol or diesel Helps the environment (if charged daily) Moderate fuel savings (again, if charged daily) Traditional engine + very small battery Powered by a petrol/diesel engine + some support from the battery Fill with petrol/diesel only Few environmental benefits Minor fuel savings Battery range BEVs average range of 300 km. Battery range drops considerably when it is cold outside and at high speeds. PHEVs typically have a battery range of 35-65 km and you can fall back on the petrol/diesel engine when the battery runs out. HEVs run on petrol/diesel, so you just fill up with fuel as normal and range is not an issue. 208 EnginEEring MechPower.indb 208 30/01/24 17:09