The CEO of Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi, recently stated that customers waiting for an Uber ride should be willing to wait a few extra minutes for an electric vehicle. He emphasized that a short delay is not a significant inconvenience and can contribute to environmental benefits. Khosrowshahi highlighted the importance of governments supporting the sales of electric vehicles, particularly affordable Chinese-made options that are beneficial for the environment.
Uber is actively promoting the use of electric rides as part of its sustainability goals, aiming for all its car journeys to be conducted in zero-emission vehicles by 2040. While customers can currently select an electric vehicle when booking an Uber, the company is introducing new options for customers to express a preference for electric rides. Despite most Ubers still being petrol, diesel, or hybrid vehicles, the company is encouraging the transition to electric vehicles for a more sustainable future.
Khosrowshahi acknowledged that the shift to electric vehicles may initially impact Uber's profit margin on rides. However, he believes that in the long run, transitioning to electric vehicles will benefit both the environment and Uber's business. The company is also expanding its services to include more delivery options, aiming to compete with other delivery services by offering quick and convenient delivery of various products.
While recognizing the challenges related to tariffs on electric vehicles, Khosrowshahi sees Chinese-made electric vehicles as part of the solution to promoting the adoption of electric cars. He emphasized the need for government support to make electric vehicles more affordable, particularly for high-mileage drivers like Uber drivers. Khosrowshahi suggested that subsidies should be targeted at businesses and corporate fleets to encourage broader demand for electric vehicles.
In conclusion, Uber's CEO advocates for a shift towards electric vehicles to benefit the environment and enhance the company's sustainability efforts. By encouraging customers to choose electric rides and expanding delivery services, Uber aims to promote a more eco-friendly transportation and delivery system. Khosrowshahi emphasizes the importance of government support in making electric vehicles more accessible and affordable, particularly for high-mileage drivers and corporate fleets.
Original news source: Be prepared to wait longer for an electric taxi, says Uber boss (BBC)
π§ Listen:
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Headline Creation
Instructions: Ask students to work in pairs or small groups to create a catchy headline summarizing the main idea of the article about Uber CEO promoting electric vehicles. Encourage them to be creative and concise in their headlines.
– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups: those who agree with Uber's CEO promoting electric vehicles and those who disagree. Have students line up on opposite sides of the room based on their opinions. Then, ask individuals to share their reasons for their stance, encouraging a respectful discussion between the two groups.
– Synonym Challenge
Instructions: Provide students with key words from the article (e.g., electric vehicles, sustainability, environment) and challenge them to come up with as many synonyms as they can in a given time frame. This activity will not only reinforce vocabulary but also expand their word choice repertoire.
– Pass the Story
Instructions: Start by summarizing the article briefly. Then, have one student begin telling the story of Uber CEO's push for electric vehicles. After a minute or so, signal for the next student to seamlessly continue the story. Keep passing the storytelling around the class, ensuring that each student adds a new detail or perspective. This activity encourages listening skills and coherence in storytelling.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Ask students to individually think about and note down their opinion on the benefits and challenges of transitioning to electric vehicles as proposed by Uber's CEO. Then, pair them up to discuss their thoughts. Finally, bring the pairs together to share their discussions with the class, fostering a deeper understanding of different perspectives.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
Customers waiting for an Uber ride should be willing to wait a few extra minutes for an electric vehicle.
Uber aims for all its car journeys to be conducted in zero-emission vehicles by 2040.
Uber is introducing new options for customers to express a preference for electric rides in addition to being able to select an electric vehicle when booking an Uber.
He believes that transitioning to electric vehicles will benefit both the environment and Uber's business in the long run despite initial impacts on profit margins, as it aligns with sustainability goals and promotes a more eco-friendly transportation system.
Uber is expanding its services to include more delivery options to compete with other delivery services by offering quick and convenient delivery of various products.
Khosrowshahi acknowledges challenges related to tariffs on electric vehicles and proposes Chinese-made electric vehicles as part of the solution to promoting their adoption.
Dara Khosrowshahi believes that subsidies should be targeted at businesses and corporate fleets to encourage broader demand for electric vehicles, particularly for high-mileage drivers like Uber drivers.
Khosrowshahi emphasizes the importance of government support in making electric vehicles more accessible and affordable, particularly for high-mileage drivers and corporate fleets, to promote the adoption of electric cars.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
The CEO of Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi, recently stated that customers waiting for an Uber ride should be willing to wait a few extra minutes for an electric vehicle. He emphasized that a short delay is not a inconvenience and can contribute to benefits. Khosrowshahi highlighted the importance of supporting the sales of electric vehicles, particularly affordable Chinese-made options that are beneficial for the environment. Uber is actively promoting the use of electric rides as part of its sustainability goals, for all its car journeys to be conducted in zero-emission s by 2040. While customers can currently select an electric vehicle when booking an Uber, the company is introducing new options for customers to express a preference for electric rides. Despite most still being petrol, diesel, or hybrid vehicles, the company is encouraging the transition to electric vehicles for a more sustainable future. Khosrowshahi acknowledged that the shift to electric vehicles may initially impact Uber's profit margin on rides. However, he that in the long run, transitioning to electric vehicles will both the environment and Uber's business. The company is also expanding its to include more delivery options, aiming to compete with other delivery services by offering quick and convenient delivery of various . While the related to tariffs on electric vehicles, Khosrowshahi sees Chinese-made electric vehicles as part of the solution to promoting the adoption of electric cars. He emphasized the need for government support to make electric vehicles more affordable, particularly for high-mileage drivers like Uber drivers. Khosrowshahi suggested that subsidies should be targeted at and corporate fleets to encourage broader demand for electric vehicles. In conclusion, Uber's CEO advocates for a shift towards electric vehicles to benefit the environment and enhance the company's sustainability efforts. By encouraging to choose electric and expanding delivery services, Uber aims to promote a more eco-friendly transportation and delivery system. Khosrowshahi emphasizes the importance of government support in making electric vehicles more accessible and , particularly for high-mileage drivers and corporate fleets.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is your opinion on Uber's CEO suggesting customers wait a few extra minutes for an electric vehicle?
2. How would you feel if you had to wait longer for an Uber ride in order to get an electric vehicle?
3. Do you think it's important for companies like Uber to prioritize sustainability goals, even if it may initially impact their profit margin?
4. Why do you think Uber is aiming for all its car journeys to be conducted in zero-emission vehicles by 2040?
5. Do you like the idea of being able to express a preference for an electric ride when booking an Uber?
6. How do you think the transition to electric vehicles will benefit both the environment and Uber's business in the long run?
7. Why do you think Uber is expanding its services to include more delivery options?
8. What challenges do you think are associated with tariffs on electric vehicles?
9. Do you believe government support is crucial in making electric vehicles more affordable and accessible?
10. Why do you think Chinese-made electric vehicles are seen as part of the solution to promoting the adoption of electric cars?
11. How do you think subsidies targeted at businesses and corporate fleets can encourage broader demand for electric vehicles?
12. What are your thoughts on the importance of government support in making electric vehicles more affordable for high-mileage drivers like Uber drivers?
13. Why do you think Uber's CEO advocates for a shift towards electric vehicles to benefit the environment and enhance the company's sustainability efforts?
14. How do you think promoting a more eco-friendly transportation and delivery system can impact society as a whole?
15. In your opinion, what role do you think companies like Uber play in influencing the adoption of sustainable practices in the transportation industry?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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