万花筒 2008-06-04&-06-05

Amid all the tradition and history of Katmandu, a profound change is in the air. In fact, it might literally¹ clear the air, reducing the choking pollution which has blighted² this congested valley. The streets of the capital are gradually being taken over by these new electric vehicles, or EVs. Known locally as safa tempos⁴, they are clean, green and have become increasingly popular especially since heavy-polluting Vikram Tempo³ rickshaws were outlawed⁵ in 1999. Nepal is already well ahead of the curve, it seems, on adopting electric vehicles.

 

This is one of two companies producing EVs on a small scale. Shree Eco Visionary is churning out five to ten vehicles a month and the waiting list is already eight weeks.

 

In comparison to the fossil fuel vehicle, electric vehicle are much cheaper. The fossil fuel vehicles cost 10 cents per kilometer, whereas an electric vehicle is 7 cents per kilometer.

 

With oil going ever higher, that cost saving is likely to get even bigger. Sachendra shows me how each vehicle runs on 12 car batteries, six up front, and six at the back. Charging is no problem.

 

These vehicles are very easy to charge. We just have to take the cord, and just plug it into our normal household 15-amp socket⁶. And this vehicle is with onboard charger, which is very efficient, and charges from seven to eight hours.

 

But if the driver is in a hurry to recharge, they can go to one of 32 power stations and simply swap⁷ out the batteries for fresh ones in a matter of minutes.

 

1 literally   

adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实

参考例句：

• He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
• Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候，她不走到真正要昏厥了，决不肯坐下来。

2 blighted   

adj.枯萎的，摧毁的

参考例句：

• Blighted stems often canker.有病的茎往往溃烂。
• She threw away a blighted rose.她把枯萎的玫瑰花扔掉了。

3 tempo   

n.(音乐的)速度；节奏，行进速度

参考例句：

• The boss is unsatisfied with the tardy tempo.老板不满于这种缓慢的进度。
• They waltz to the tempo of the music.他们跟着音乐的节奏跳华尔兹舞。

4 tempos   

乐曲的速度或拍子( tempo的名词复数 )； （运动或活动的）速度，进度

参考例句：

• The tempos of income refer to real tempo, The price factor is taken out. 收入发展速度为扣除物价因素后的实际发展速度。
• Contrasting tempos and the restraining influence of synchronism serve to produce effects of scattering and tightening. 不尽相同的曲调形成调式、速度上的对比，它们由“合头”拉扯着，形成分散、聚合的效果。

5 outlawed   

宣布…为不合法（outlaw的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• Most states have outlawed the use of marijuana. 大多数州都宣布使用大麻为非法行为。
• I hope the sale of tobacco will be outlawed someday. 我希望有朝一日烟草制品会禁止销售。

6 socket   

n.窝，穴，孔，插座，插口

参考例句：

• He put the electric plug into the socket.他把电插头插入插座。
• The battery charger plugs into any mains socket.这个电池充电器可以插入任何类型的电源插座。

7 swap   

n.交换；vt.交换，用...作交易

参考例句：

• I will swap you my bicycle for your radio.我想拿我的自行车换你的收音机。
• This comic was a swap that I got from Nick.这本漫画书是我从尼克那里换来的。