Read this article about hybrid cars. While reading, put the paragraph subheadings in the correct place.

1.

Hybrid cars are cars that run on both petrol and electricity.  They have a small standard petrol engine and a battery and electric motor to provide electric power.

2.

There are some differences between different models of hybrid cars, but the general principle is that the car runs on petrol, and the electric motor kicks in when additional power is required, for example when going uphill or accelerating.  In some hybrid cars the petrol engine turns itself off when not needed, for example when the car has stopped at traffic lights, keeping only the electric engine running.

3.

Conventional cars have large engines to cope with driving uphill and accelerating.  Most of the time, this high engine capacity is not needed, but the engine continues burning up fuel.  Hybrid cars have much smaller petrol engines, boosted by electric motors when needed, so they use less petrol.  Hybrid cars are also lighter and aerodynamically designed for greater fuel efficiency.  Another way that fuel consumption is cut is by a system of ‘regenerative braking’.

4.

The electric motor is used to slow down the car, rather than conventional brakes.  The energy produced by the slowing car is converted into electrical power, which is automatically stored in the battery.  In effect, the battery recharges when you brake.  In conventional cars the energy produced when braking is wasted.

5.

Car manufacturers and engineers have been experimenting with electric and hybrid cars since the late 19th century.  In 1928 Ferdinand Porsche built an experimental hybrid car which used both an internal combustion engine and electric motors.  The first mass-produced hybrid car, the Toyota Prius, came out in Japan at the end of 1997.  However, hybrid cars only became available in the USA in 1999, when the Honda Insight went on sale.

6.

As they use less fuel, hybrid cars are cheaper to run.  There are also many initiatives in place to encourage people to buy them.  In some countries, hybrid car owners pay a lower rate of tax, and don’t have to pay on certain toll roads.  In some cities around the world, hybrid cars are allowed to park for free.

Read the article again and decide if the following statements are true or false.

Many parts of a car have different names in British and American English. Check your knowledge by matching the words with their definitions.