Premium

Electric Vehicles and Climate Change

Interactive passage with audio narration, comprehension questions, and printable PDF.

No ratings yet

Just this resource

$1.50

One-time purchase

Best value

Unlock everything

$49.99$29.99/yr

40% off until Aug 1 — 6,000+ resources

Unlock above to use these actions

Format: Interactive (Online), Printable (PDF)
Grades: 5678
Subjects: scienceela
Languages: English, Spanish

Send Feedback / Report an Issue

What's included

Reading passage

Reading comprehension

Audio narration

With word word highlighting

Comprehension quiz

Auto-graded

Writing activity

Open-ended response

Glossary & flashcards

Vocabulary practice

Differentiated version

Adapted for varied levels

Spanish translation

Bilingual support

About this reader

This 400-500 word informational science passage explores how electric vehicles help address climate change by reducing transportation emissions. Aligned with NGSS standards for grades 6-8, students learn that EVs run on electricity stored in batteries instead of burning fossil fuels, producing zero tailpipe emissions. The passage explains the important connection between EVs and the electric grid, showing how renewable energy sources make EVs even cleaner. Students discover that while battery production has environmental costs, EVs still provide significant benefits over their lifetime. The reading includes real-world examples, key vocabulary terms, and connects transportation as a major source of emissions to potential solutions. Audio-integrated features support diverse learners. Activities include comprehension questions, writing prompts, and graphic organizers that help students analyze cause-and-effect relationships and compare different transportation options.

Written by Workybooks TeamPublished by Workybooks

Sample passage and quiz content

CONTENT PREVIEW

"White electric car charging on an urban city street, emphasizing eco-friendly transportation." by Elmir Jafarov / Pexels.

Transportation produces about one-fourth of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Cars and trucks that burn gasoline or diesel fuel release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Scientists explain that electric vehicles offer a cleaner alternative because they run on electricity stored in batteries. Unlike traditional vehicles, EVs produce zero exhaust from a tailpipe while driving.

The environmental benefit of an electric vehicle depends on where its electricity comes from. An EV charged with electricity from a coal power plant still produces emissions, just at the power plant instead of the tailpipe. Evidence shows that an EV powered by coal-generated electricity produces fewer emissions than a gasoline car, but the benefit is limited. However, when an EV charges using electricity from renewable energy sources like wind or solar power, it becomes very clean. This connection explains why electric vehicles and clean energy systems work together to reduce climate impact.

Manufacturing EV batteries does have environmental costs. Mining materials like lithium and cobalt requires energy and can damage ecosystems. Battery production creates emissions and uses significant resources. Scientists have studied the full lifecycle of electric vehicles compared to gasoline vehicles. Their research shows that even when battery production is included, EVs produce fewer total emissions over their lifetime. As the electric grid becomes cleaner with more renewable energy, the advantage of EVs grows larger.

Norway provides a real-world example of this technology in action. About 80 percent of new cars sold in Norway in 2022 were electric vehicles. The country generates most of its electricity from hydroelectric power, a clean renewable energy source. This combination of EVs and clean electricity has helped Norway significantly reduce transportation emissions. The success demonstrates how electric vehicles can make a major difference when paired with clean energy sources.

Electric vehicles represent an important tool for addressing climate change. Transportation remains one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. As battery technology improves and becomes less expensive, more people can choose electric vehicles. When countries also invest in renewable energy to power their electric grids, the climate benefits multiply. The shift to electric transportation, combined with cleaner electricity generation, can help reduce the emissions that drive climate change.

Interesting Fact: The first electric cars were actually invented in the 1830s, decades before gasoline-powered cars became popular. Early EVs were quiet and easy to start, but limited battery technology caused gasoline cars to dominate for over a century.

What percentage of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States comes from transportation?

About one-tenthAbout one-fourthAbout one-halfAbout three-fourths

Why do electric vehicles produce zero exhaust from their tailpipes?

They use special filters to clean the exhaustThey burn fuel more efficiently than regular carsThey run on electricity stored in batteries instead of burning fuelThey convert exhaust into water vapor

What does the term 'lifecycle' mean when studying electric vehicles?

How long the battery lasts before replacementThe complete lifespan from manufacturing through use to disposalThe time it takes to charge the batteryThe distance an EV can travel on one charge

According to the passage, what is 'renewable energy'?

Energy that can be used only onceEnergy stored in batteriesEnergy from sources that naturally replenish, like wind and solarEnergy produced by burning coal

How does the source of electricity affect an electric vehicle's environmental impact?

The electricity source does not affect the EV's environmental impactEVs charged with coal power are cleaner than those charged with solar powerEVs charged with renewable energy are much cleaner than those charged with coal powerAll electricity sources produce the same amount of emissions

What environmental concern is associated with manufacturing EV batteries?

Batteries require no natural resources to produceMining materials like lithium and cobalt uses energy and can damage ecosystemsBattery production creates no emissionsBatteries are made entirely from recycled materials

What real-world example does the passage provide to show EVs in action?

China's solar panel productionCalifornia's wind farmsNorway's high rate of EV adoption and use of hydroelectric powerGermany's coal power plants

According to research mentioned in the passage, how do EVs compare to gasoline vehicles over their lifetime?

EVs produce more total emissions than gasoline vehiclesEVs produce the same emissions as gasoline vehiclesEVs produce fewer total emissions even when battery production is includedThe research is inconclusive

True or False: Electric vehicles were first invented in the 1830s, before gasoline-powered cars became popular.

TrueFalse

True or False: An electric vehicle charged with electricity from a coal power plant produces exactly the same amount of emissions as a gasoline-powered car.

TrueFalse