Better place for electric car

As a Motortrend subscriber I am carefully watching the on-going debate about the infrastructure required to sustain major changes in the car technology. Whether we are talking about fuel cell, hydrogen or battery based electric vehicles the supporting infrastructure was always the main obstacle. Project Better Place, another company started in Israel, introduces new approach that effectively addresses this issue. 

 

To create an effective solution the company had to come up with an approach that involves partnership with major forces - government and a car company. The first government that embraced the idea l on the company home turf was in Israel.  And Renault-Nissan agreed to mass produce electric vehicles that can be used effectively in such infrastructure. Currently 4 models are being designed and piloted including Nissan Rogue and Renault Megane.

 

An important part of the strategy is based on building a battery switching stations that will allow drivers swap depleted batteries much the same way as fueling cars today. Battery swap takes under 2 minutes and is actually faster than filling a tank. Another component of the infrastructure includes charging spots that are developed at commonly used parking places like railway stations, covered parking lots etc. Currently around 500000 spots are being created throughout Israel.

 

Better Place CEO Shai Agassi presented this vision early on to the Israeli government and got enthusiastic support. This initiative is another part of getting Israel to the energy independence by 2020.  The government will provide tax incentives for citizens to buy the new electric cars, the incentives are currently offered until 2019.  Other governments from Denmark, Japan and Australia, as well as US states of Hawaii and California are working with Better Place to develop their own infrastructure. 

 

With the battery technology quickly evolving we are going to see major changes to the automobile market and its supply chain. 

 

Comments: 0; Published: January 15, 2010; Permalink

Tags: new technologies,supply chain