PART FIVE · Read the following text. · For
each question 31--40, write one word.
Californian Michael Schwabe said goodbye to the gas pump two years ago when
he leased an electric car. Schwabe says (31) he gets out of
driving electric is more than just a charge. "With the price of gasoline and
with the problems of clean air it’s important we get electric vehicles out on
the road." On California roads there are about two thousand electric cars. By
2003, ten percent of all new cars may be required to have zero emissions. This
mandate automakers say is way ahead (32) its time. Gloria
Bergquist of the Alliance of Auto Manufacturers says, "The technology isn’t here
yet; it still needs advancement (33) driving range to make it
more appealing to a wider consumer audience". Automakers blame it
(34) the batteries. Power runs out on most (cars) after about 70
miles, although some can now go more than 100 miles on a charge. Batteries are
expensive and carmakers say there is nothing they can do about it. Now car
manufacturers want the California Air Resources Board to relax the 10 percent
mandate. (35) not, they say people won’t be able to afford
electric cars that aren’t heavily subsidized. Dave Hermance of Toyota Motors
says, "In 2003, a highway electric vehicle will be 20 thousand dollars more than
a gasoline vehicle." The state of California demanded tough restrictions on
emissions in 1990. Twice since then, the state relaxed regulations (36)
automakers complained they couldn’t meet the requirements. Tim
Carmichael of the Clean Air Coalition says, "The automakers have not built a
vehicle (37) required to do so, (38) it’s
very important (39) the state to stay committed to this
program requiring automakers to build small amounts in beginning years and then
the market will take off". Michael Schwabe believes other drivers would take
off in electric cars (40) only carmakers would make them
available.