Bunuel
Analyst Claim: The sales and pre-orders of electric cars in urban areas will significantly increase this year. The primary reason for this increase is that ongoing improvements in battery technology have substantially lowered the cost of electric cars, making them more affordable for city dwellers.
Which of the following is an assumption made in drawing the conclusion above?
(A) Urban infrastructure, such as charging stations, will become more widely available in city areas this year.
(B) The performance of electric cars, in terms of speed and comfort, is on par with that of gasoline-powered cars.
(C) City dwellers are primarily motivated by cost savings when choosing a vehicle.
(D) The cost of gasoline will remain stable throughout the year.
(E) The production of electric cars will be sufficient to meet the increased consumer demand this year.
(A) Urban infrastructure, such as charging stations, will become more widely available in city areas this year.
- This option suggests that increased availability of charging stations is necessary for the increase in electric car sales. While important, it is not the primary assumption made in the argument, which focuses on affordability due to improved battery technology. The conclusion does not depend on the availability of charging stations, but rather on the reduced cost making electric cars more attractive.
(B) The performance of electric cars, in terms of speed and comfort, is on par with that of gasoline-powered cars.
- This option addresses the performance of electric cars compared to gasoline-powered cars. The argument's conclusion is based on cost reduction due to improved battery technology, not on performance comparisons. Therefore, this is not the primary assumption.
(C) City dwellers are primarily motivated by cost savings when choosing a vehicle.
- This option directly supports the argument by linking the lowered cost of electric cars (due to improved battery technology) with an increase in sales and pre-orders. The assumption is that cost savings are a significant factor for city dwellers when choosing a vehicle, making this the correct assumption.
(D) The cost of gasoline will remain stable throughout the year.
- This option suggests a condition related to the stability of gasoline prices. The argument does not mention gasoline prices as a factor in the increased sales of electric cars. Thus, it is not a necessary assumption for the conclusion.
(E) The production of electric cars will be sufficient to meet the increased consumer demand this year.
- This option addresses the supply side of the market, assuming that production will meet demand. While important for practical reasons, it is not the primary assumption underlying the conclusion that affordability will drive sales. The focus of the argument is on the cost reduction making electric cars more appealing, not on production capacity.