If you spent years training to be a lawyer and had a great steady income,would you leave it to undertake a silly plan that only your mum and girlfriend believed in? That’s exactly what Tom Pakenhamdid.
He had the idea of starting an eco-friendly taxi company and so with five environmentally-friendly cars Green Tomato Cars was born. Now,only a few years later,the company has a group of 60 Toyota Prius Hybrids.
When the company started in 2006 Tom admits,”Only my mum,girlfriend Sophie,now my wife,and Jonny(his business partner) were 100 percent behind the idea of starting London’s first green cab service.”
Tom,who sold his ￡150,000 flat to raise money for the business,received the support of some well-known persons, Buckingham Palace officials and BskyB managers. Even Al Gore is a fan.
Currently carrying 500-600 passengers a day,Green Tomato Cars is a shining example that commercial success and green issues are compatible(可共存的).
“All our drivers and employees are employed from the local community. We use local garages,service agents and vehicle sign-writers even though that is not always the most competitive choice. The reason is that to bring green products to the fore we believe we must not be inferior(较差的) to conventional taxis. The target is to be recognized as No.1 provider of environmental goods and services in London and around the world.”
All their hard work has paid off as The Department for Transport has acknowledged Green Tomato Cars progress by giving them the Fleet Hero Award and last year the company was highlighted at the WTM World Responsible Tourism Day.
Delighted with the publicity, Tom says,”I like to think we are playing our part with the cars switching to electricity. Carbon dioxide reductions of more than 600 tons have been achieved and this low footprint has sparked a revolution in the taxi world.”
11.From the first paragraph,we can infer that_________.
A.Tom Pakenham was a successful lawyer B.Tom Pakenham was a man full of confidence
C.Tom was supported by lots of people at the beginning
D.It was easy for Tom to make decisions without full consideration
12.The goal of the eco-friendly taxi company is to_________.
A.earn more money to protect the environment
B.encourage more people to protect the environment
C.prove commercial success and green issues are compatible
D.become the No.1 provider of environmental goods and services
13.Local workers are employed in Tom Pakenham’s taxi company because________.
A.they provide better services B.this can help save a lot of cost
C.this does good to the environment D.this can solve unemployment
14.The vehicles in Green Tomato Cars are powered mainly by_________.
A.petrol B.electricity C.wind energy D.solar energy
15.What can we learn from the text?
A.Green Tomato Cars has made greater profits.
B.It costs people more to take eco-friendly taxis.
C.Green Tomato Cars has been awarded by the government.
D.Al Gore helped Tom pakenham raise money for his company.