Reading Fill Blank
Goverments and vehicle manufacturers are aware of the challenges of transitioning to electric
vehicles, but the belief is that technology will solve them. Social attitudes and environmental
consciousness are expected to reduce private vehicle usage and decrease the number of vehicles on
the road. However, the scarcity of components and the lack of battery recharging infrastructure
could increase the cost of electric vehicles. The successful transition depends on technological
advancements in battery weight, power output, and recharging speed.
Contrary to popular belief, electric vehicles are not a recent concept. In the late 19th century.
at
the beginning of the automobile era, America boasted as many electric cars as gas-driven ones, with
New York's largest taxi company employing electric vehicles. To keep their taxis operational when
battery levels ran low, they established battery exchange points where drivers exchanged empty
batteries for fully charged ones, similar to refueling with gasoline.
Battery exchange stations, rather than recharging points, could potentially resolve the issue of
prolonged recharging times that currently prevent owners from starting long joumeys. However, this
solution is impractical with today's bulky, heavy batteries. While the latest lithium-ion batteries
are nearly twice as efficient as those used five years ago, they remain large and weighty. A
