Explore how to speed up the switch to electric vehicles and renewables

Starter

Though electric cars are better for the environment, the manufacturing of them releases 59% more emissions than the manufacture of fuel engine cars.

Does this change the benefit of electric cars? Does the lack of emissions released when driven cancel out the manufacturing process?

Identify the pros and cons of electric vehicles. After discussing, ask the pupils to divide themselves up into 2 groups - those who support electric vehicles and those who do not. Ask the two groups to come up with the most convincing argument for and against electric cars.

Main Teaching

This lesson explores the different benefits that exist in promoting the ownership of renewable energy vehicles. Pupils are introduced to the financial incentives that are in place by the government and are encouraged to think about sustainable travel options that are available to them and that they have influence over.

Career Film: This is Chris Cunliffe. Chris works as a Research Technologist for National Nuclear Laboratory.

Expert Film: This is Chris Cunliffe. Chris works as a Research Technologist for National Nuclear Laboratory. Chris talks about reaching Net Zero by 2050.

Mission Assignment

Ask the students to work in a group, in partners or as an individual to plan a presentation, talk or lecture to give their school, class or year group promoting different ways to get to school and to travel. Ask them to use the table provided to build their lecture.

Challenge task: Ask the students to take a survey of a sample size of people of their choice, asking them how they usually get to school. 

Ask them to fill in the table with their results and then write a few evaluative statements to explain their results. Encourage them to base this on some of the trending variables across your survey group (where the school is, what transport systems are available, etc.).