Uber is electrifying its ride-hailing Fleet fastest in the city of London. Uber has had as tumultuous a history in London as perhaps any other major city in the world. In 2019 London's transport regulator revoked Uber's license to operate in the city for the second time in just over two years. Mayor Sadiq Khan said Uber had exhibited a quote pattern of failure with respect to conducting background checks and verifying the identity of drivers. Uber's efforts to get its drivers to switch to electric vehicles has been crucial to the company transforming from a problem for the city to a potential problem solver.
Sadiq Khan has been one of the world's most aggressive Mayors in terms of policies to reduce road congestion and pollution. London charges drivers daily to use the city's most congested roads and drivers have to pay extra if they're behind the wheel of older higher emitting cars. Electric vehicles are exempt from these charges which has helped tip the scales in favor of EVS. Uber has done its part to further boost the economics of driving an EV in the city. In 2018 the company started what it called a clean air fund. Riders paid 15 Pence per mile into savings accounts for each driver. Drivers can only put this money in these accounts to use toward buying or renting an EV.
“regulating polluting cars off roads”
As of February, there was about 148 million pounds in these accounts and to sweeten the deal Uber has arranged discounts on EVS from Hyundai Kia and Nissan. To meet its emissions goals Uber will need more politicians to follow Khan's lead in taxing or regulating polluting cars off roads. It will need automakers to manufacture more electric vehicles and for the supply of used EVS to grow. I'm Craig Trudell and this is how we move. For more stories like this follow us on your favorite platforms.
Questions:
Part 1: Comprehension
Watch and summarize the video thinking of who, what, when, where & why.
Part 2: True or False Questions
a) True or false – Uber had a difficult start when they entered the taxi market in London. T/F
b) True or False – London charges drivers every month for driving in London. T/F
c) True or False – Residents of London are unhappy with Sadiq Khan. T/F
d) True or False – The London Mayor arranged discounts on EV cars from Hyundai, Kia, and Nissan. T/F
Part 3: Guess the meaning of unknown vocabulary
a) "Tumultuous" (0:10 min)
b) "Background checks" (0:31 min)
c) "Tip the scales" (1:07 min)
d) "Sweeten the deal" (1:38 min)
Part 4: Dictation
a) Fill in the blanks (0:24 - 0:35 minutes) Mayor Sadiq Khan ___________________________________________________ drivers.
b) Fill in the blanks (0:52 - 1:10 minutes) London charges _______________________________________________________ emitting cars.
c) Fill in the blanks (1:44- 2:00 minutes) To meet________________________________________________________________off-roads.
Part 5: Talking Points
Part 6: Role play Scenarios
Scenario 1: Hobby Shop Customer
You are a customer visiting the House of Hobbies for the first time. You are interested in building a model car, but you have never done it before. You need help finding the right kit and tools, and you have some questions about the process.
Scenario 2: Hobby Shop Owner
You are the owner of the House of Hobbies, and a customer has just walked in looking for help with building a model car. You are an expert in the hobby and are happy to provide guidance and answer any questions. You want to make sure the customer has a positive experience and leaves feeling confident about their new project.
Scenario 3: Reliving your youth
In pairs talk about when you were growing up. What were some popular toys? Describe these toys to someone who has never heard of them before.
Part 7: Writing Activity
Describe the public transportation system in your city.
Part 8: Critical Thinking - EVs are the future.
Objective: Discuss the following question in groups, do you think your country should promote Electric Vehicles for Ride-Hailing Services in cities?
Team A Supports the idea and team B opposes it.
In groups discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the question then reach a consensus on the best way to improve ride-hailing services and the environment in cities across your country.
Answers:
Part 1: Comprehension
Bloomberg QuickTake is a global streaming news network and they are reporting on the air pollution created by cars in London. The report begins by talking about how Uber is electrifying their fleet of cars which are based in London. The report says that they have had some difficulties in London but going electric has led to their approval rating increasing. The report suggests that London’s traffic congestion once meant that residents of the British capital had to endure some of the worst air quality in the developed world. The reporter proposes that in a bid to tackle an issue directly linked to deaths and respiratory problems, the city introduced some of the toughest restrictions on heavily polluting cars anywhere. The Mayor of London was a big reason for these changes as he has been very aggressive in his approach to tackling air pollution in the city. Lastly, the tax breaks and discounts on EVs from Hyundai, Kia, and Nissan have all helped to meet London’s emission goals. However, the report stresses that more needs to be done.
Part 2: True or False
A: True B: False C: False D: False
Part 3: Guess the meaning of unknown vocabulary or phrases
a) "Tumultuous" Answer: I think tumultuous means to have caused a lot of commotion or problems because in the video the speaker states that Uber’s entry into the London market had a lot of difficulties at first, for example, their license was revoked.
b) "Background checks" Answer: I think background checks are a process of verifying who a person or a company are by checking things like where they have lived, work experience, or criminal history. In the video, the speaker talks about background checks on Uber drivers, and he states that Uber failed to verify them.
c) "Tip the scales" Answer: I think this means to be the deciding factor in a decision because in the video the speaker talks about how the London mayor has increased the popularity of EVs by not charging them for driving in London. This is meant there is a more favorable outlook for EV vehicles.
d) "Sweeten the deal" Answer: I think it means to make something more enticing or attractive because in the video the speaker talks about there being 148 million pounds available which will help reach a deal between Uber and the government.
Part 4: Dictation
a) Fill in the blanks (0:24 - 0:35 minutes) Mayor Sadiq Khan said Uber had exhibited a quote pattern of failure with respect to conducting background checks and verifying the identity of drivers.
b) Fill in the blanks (0:52 - 1:10 minutes) London charges drivers daily to use the city's most congested roads and drivers have to pay extra if they're behind the wheel of older higher emitting cars.
c) Fill in the blanks (1:44 - 2:00 minutes)To meet its emissions goals Uber will need more politicians to follow Khan's lead in taxing or regulating polluting cars off-roads.
Part 7: Writing (example)
In Ho Chi Minh City, we use many ways to travel around. Most people ride motorbikes, which are very common. There are also buses that go to many places in the city. They are cheap and have air conditioning but can be very full. People also use taxis and apps like Grab for car and motorbike rides. These are easy to use. Some people, called Xe Ôm, give rides on their motorbikes. This is a quick and cheap way to travel. Few people walk or cycle because it's very busy and the air is not always clean. We are also building a metro train system. It is not finished yet, but when it is, it will help people travel faster and more comfortably.
