Personal vehicles cause a lot of carbon emissions in the United States. Many drivers want to know if they should keep their old gas car or buy an electric vehicle. Researchers from California studied this question to find the answer.
The scientists looked at the life of gas cars and electric cars. They discovered that replacing a gas car with an electric vehicle almost always lowers pollution. Gas engines waste eighty percent of their energy as heat, while electric cars use energy much better.
Making a new electric car creates pollution, but driving it balances this out in about three years. Overall, switching early helps the planet in ninety-two percent of cases. Only people who drive very little do not save energy by switching early.
Difficult words
- vehicle — A machine like a car used for moving people.vehicles
- emission — Gas or other substance sent into the air.emissions
- researcher — A person who studies a subject to find facts.Researchers
- replace — To put a new thing in place of another.replacing
- pollution — Harmful materials that make the air or water dirty.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you prefer electric cars or gas cars, and why?
- How do most people travel in your town or city?
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