To reduce air pollution in metro cities, the government plans to provide subsidies to individuals who purchase electric vehicles. Which of the following is an underlying assumption?

To reduce air pollution in metro cities, the government plans to provide subsidies to individuals who purchase electric vehicles. Which of the following is an underlying assumption?

1. Electric vehicles are an effective means to reduce urban air pollution.
2. Only electric vehicles can successfully reduce air pollution in urban areas.
3. The manufacturing cost of electric vehicles is currently high for the general public.
4. Public transport systems are currently insufficient for urban commuters.

Answer: A. Electric vehicles are an effective means to reduce urban air pollution.

Step 1: Identify the Goal (reduce air pollution) and the Action (provide subsidies for EVs). Step 2: Identify the logical link. The government assumes that the specific action (EV adoption) leads to the stated goal (less pollution). Step 3: Evaluate the options. Option A directly links the action to the goal. Option B is a 'sufficient' but not 'necessary' assumption because it uses the extreme word 'only'. Options C and D are external factors that might be true, but are not required for the logic of the statement to hold.