Australia, the world's largest exporter of coal(煤), is addicted to(沈迷於) fossil fuels(化石燃料), which generate most of its electricity and drives much of its transport system.
In the Melbourne suburb(郊區) of Brunswick, conservationists(保護主義者) say a small but significant(重大地) step has been taken towards a cleaner energy future.
Australia's first solar power charging station for electric cars has been switched on. It takes up to 5 hours to fully replenish(補充) a battery that allows an average(平均) vehicle to travel about 150kms.
As the technology improves, it's hoped that batteries could eventually be fully charged within half and hour.
Environmentalists say that Australia has been slow to embrace(擁抱) electric cars compared to other countries because of what they describe as "serious cultural and political resistance(阻力)" to change.
Petrol(汽油) prices recently hit US$1.60 a litre here. If those costs continue to rise(上升) then Australia's indifference to(漠視, 不關心) electric-powered vehicles could begin to change.
this report is from bbc learning english
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2012/03/120326_witn_electric_car.shtml
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