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Neither, both?

Just came across some ramblings on Autobloggreen regarding Shai Agassi’s comments calling the Chevy Volt a niche, which seemed to disturb the author.

Instead of buying a $40,000 car, Project Better Place would have drivers pay to access a network of charging spots and conveniently located battery exchange stations powered by renewable energy, plus a mileage fee. This, according to Project Better Place, would make cars much more affordable, even free in some markets.

Before getting too hot and bothered, both the Volt and Project Better Place need to prove their technology. Still, study after study after study demonstrates that consumers are primarily focused on up front costs when buying a new vehicle. Thus, it’s obvious that Project Better Place’s cell phone business model has potential.

Nonetheless, it will take decades to develop the infrastructure required for Project Better Place to work in America. One day, however, such a model could make range extended electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids nothing but niches. Of course, one day both vehicles might actually be sold in the real world…..one day. Until then, anything is possible.

Original post by Dahcredyns

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Renault, USA

﹣ Systems may (repeat, may) have lost out on being the initial supplier of Chevy Volt batteries but that doesn’t mean they are down and out. In fact, it appears that their lithium-iron-phosphate batteries will have energy storage duties for the electric cars of Better Place. Or at least some of the cars. A123 recently received an undisclosed amount of investment from Ofer Holdings Group which controls Better Place backer, Israel Corp. Idan Ofer, who is chairman of both Israel Corp. and Better Place made the announcement in Australia during a press conference for the launch of Better Place operations there. Got all that? Good, because it doesn’t get much less complicated.

Better Place is reportedly about to import 10 family-type cars from the U.S. to be used as sales demonstration vehicles and conduct various sorts of testing and training with. Although Ofer Holdings has a joint venture with China’s Chery Automobiles Co. that will supply cars for the Israeli market, there is a possibility these particular cars might come from Chrysler or Chevrolet. At least according to “industry sources” cited in a Globes article. There is also a possibility that cars could come to the U.S. from Renault in Europe and have electric drivetrains installed before being sent off to Israel. Renault is a partner with Better Place as well. It seems that the only thing known for sure is what Better Place is quoted as saying. “The cars slated for tests in Israel are being assembled in the US and will arrive in Israel soon.” We’ll let you know what they’re assembling as soon as we find out ourselves.

[Source: Globes / BusinessWeek]

Better Place to test A123 batteries in American car? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Domenick Yoney

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in

Shai Agassi likes what he’s hearing from French president Nicolas Sarkozy. Sarkozy recently announced a plan to expand sustainable transportation infrastructure in France, including more money for electric vehicles. The founder of Project Better Place - and someone with an apparent inability to find a media outlet he doesn’t like - said that France’s move accelerates “the inevitable electrification of the automobile” (see also: Johnson Controls).

In France, Project Better Place will work with Renault, EDF (yes, that EDF) to develop a “pan-European electric vehicle network,” Agassi said in a statement (it’s pasted after the jump). I tell ya, if anyone’s going to get a standardized EV charging network in place, it looks like it′ll be Agassi. We may have to wait until 2010 to see the first cars, but this guy is playing long term.

[Source: Project Better Place]

Continue reading Shai Agassi totally into what France is doing with EVs

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chevrolet

By now many of us around these parts know who Shai Agassi is and what he wants to do. He wants to build a distribution infrastructure of swappable batteries to be used in electric cars with the ultimate goal of making EVs mainstream. The problem is that electric cars remain an expensive proposition. Even with Agassi’s approach that would sell the EV without a battery and add on a subscription model for the battery, the up-front cost will remain higher than conventional cars. Nonetheless, in Paris last week Agassi was telling the Wall Street Journal that he doesn’t think the Chevy Volt would ever be more than a niche product. He bases that on price of the car, expected to be around $40,000 before any tax incentives.

Agassi thinks that is too high for what would otherwise be a $20,000 vehicle, like the Chevy Cruze on which it’s based. As far as he goes, he’s right, but he doesn’t go far enough. GM and everyone else know that any car that will be mainstream has to have an affordable up-front cost. That’s why GM originally wanted a $30,000 price point for the Volt. That’s why they went with a smaller battery and range extender. The realities of the battery situation will continue to make longer range electric driving unaffordable for the foreseeable future from a purchase standpoint regardless of whether you take the GM or Better Place approach.

While Agassi’s subscription-based software background may make sense for large deep pocketed corporations, for regular people the cost of entry is a much bigger hurdle than the total cost of ownership. If you can’t pay the door charge, it doesn’t matter if the drinks are free once you get inside. That’s why so many people relied on cheap lease deals and nothing down mortgages over the last decade. The current reality of what is happening in the financial markets means that there is a high probability that none of these approaches will prove to be viable anytime soon. Unless a manufacturer can find a way to get that entry cost down and soon, all EVs will likely remain niche products for many more years.

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Renault, Middle East

Bad news for fans of the Better Place plan - maybe. According to a report on an Israeli business website, Renault executives at a conference in Geneva have said that the electric car bound for Israel, to be franchised by Shai Agassi’s Better Place, will be delayed by a year. However, the website also states 2011 as the new launch date which is basically when Renault has originally said it would happen. Perhaps it is just a matter of it happening at year’s end rather than the beginning. No reason for the delay was mentioned but, if real, it could have something to do with newly-announced cost-cutting measures that will see the departure of 6,000 Renault employees. Of course, it might just be that the company already has its hands full preparing the six different liquid-fueled Megane III models it says will be available. Based on a slightly lengthened 2010 Megane III (pictured above), the electric version of the car was to be sold in other countries as well. Hopefully the French automaker won′t wait too long to deliver on its earlier promise. Israel is a relatively small market and there are other electric car competitors getting ready to grab up precious market share.

[Source: Globes}

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Original post by Domenick Yoney

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Middle East

If competition spurs companies to improve the quality of their offerings and the speed with which they innovate, then we may soon expect more from Shai Agassi’s Better Place and its partner in Israel, Renault. While BYD already announced they would be selling electric vehicles in Israel earlier this month, that pronunciation gains serious weight with the news that IDB Holding Corp. Ltd. is said to be close to officially announcing a deal with the Chinese automaker to bring both its all-electric E6 and its 60 mile plug-in serial hybrid (PHEV) ˂DM to the Jewish state.

IDB, which is run by its largest shareholder, Nochi Dankner, has interests in most areas of the Israeli economy save for automobile importing. The shouldn’t prove overly problematic as the Lubinsky and Livnat families, who together hold 50 percent of the company, are currently importers of Peugeot and Citroen and have experience in the truck industry. They also operate a network of service stations and “logistic centers.” It should be interesting to see whether they employ a cooperative or confrontational approach to competing with the Better Place and their partner, Renault. You bring the popcorn and we’ll bring the details of any upcoming battles royale.

[Source: Globes Online]

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Original post by Domenick Yoney

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Middle East

Having the family car converted to run on electricity has become a very popular concept in Palestine. Since we told you about the Peugeot prototype, the two men behind the project, Waseem Khazendar and Fayaz Anan, have heard from over 400 folks willing to throw down the $2,500 they say it would cost to do the work. Only there’s one small problem: because of the Israeli blockade currently in place, they only have enough materials to convert 30 or 40 vehicles. The blockade also keeps them from charging significantly less as well, according to the Christian Science Monitor, Annan says he could do the work for a measly $1,700 if the cease-fire that is now in effect holds and more normal trade resumes. Asked about that price tag by the Monitor, Ron Gremban, lead engineer from CalCars.org said, “With the cheapest components I can imagine, it would cost around three times as much over here.”

Interestingly, they also talked with Ziva Patir of Project Better Place about the possibility of the Palestinians working with that company. She told them that although she couldn’t speak for PBP on the issue, “I believe that business creates peace, and any peace project is good for everybody.” Indeed it is.

[Source: Christian Science Monitor]

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Original post by Domenick Yoney

Israel ready to go electric?

Back in October the NYTimes ran a story on Shai Agassi (more), a 39 year old entrepreneur with high tech roots whom had raised $200 million to develop ‘gas’ stations for electric cars. Instead of gas, lithium-ion batteries will be replaced with fully charged batteries. Thus, charging won’t take hours, not even half an hour. Your battery is simply replaced.

Recently, Israel announced a plan to develop such a system of electric car stations by 2011. Agassi’s ‘Project Better Place’ will develop the stations and Renault-Nissan will produce the electric cars.

So, could such a plan scale to the US? First, the electric cars to be used in Israel will only have about 100 mile range, in the US that might not be sufficient. Will Project Better Place create ‘recharging stations′ that can accept different sized batteries, for example? Thus, standardization seems like a big obstacle. Second, what about liability? Will Project Better Place assume full responsibility for any battery problems?

Still, Project Better Place is an interesting idea, even if just a niche solution.

Original post by Dahcredyns

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Renault

Recently, we told you about rumors of a possible partnership between Renault and Project Better Place. Renault spokesperson, Rochelle Chimenes, confirmed Wednesday that Renault is talking to Project Better Place about a possible partnership and said that a deal could be announced in the first half of 2008. Chimenes also said Renault might build an electric car manufacturing plant in Israel. A Renault electric car factory in Israel is very possible because Israel may make electric car production tax free.

[Source: Forbes, International Herald Tribune]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Middle East

One of the launching points for Shai Agassi’s Project Better Place is in Israel and it looks like the first tangible progress might be demonstrated this weekend. The CEO of PBP is planning to drive a prototype electric car that is being developed at around noon on Sunday at the Fairgrounds and Conference Center in Tel Aviv Israel. Agassi will apparently provide an update on the status of the project to develop both electric cars and a charging infrastructure. Israel is just one of a number of countries to express interest in the program. According to Israeli President Shimon Peres, the hope is to have electric vehicles on the road in Israel by 2010. If any readers happen to be in Tel Aviv on Sunday and catch this send us a report.

[Source: Jerusalem Post, thanks to Vince for the tip]

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Renault, USA

We’ve told you all about Shai Agassi’s (above left) ambitious Project Better Place and how PBP has plans to create a charging and battery-swapping infrastructure to support fleets of electric cars in Israel, Denmark and possibly Japan. We’ve also noted not only PBP’s deals with Renault to be the first major auto supplier for the scheme but Renault’s repeated announcements of its intention to bring electric cars to America in couple of years from now. Now all of this seems to be coming together and it appears, much to our jaw-dropping surprise, that a city in California may very well lead the way into this brand new age of electric-car driving.

According to the San Francisco Sentinel, the mayor of that fair city, Gavin Newsom (above on right), is in talks with PBP about setting up shop in his town of steep rolling hills. In Israel last week to encourage exchanges between business peoples of that country with those in the San Francisco area, the mayor met with several different executives from Agassi’s company. Over lunch with CEO Moshe Kaplinsky, Newsom offered to work with the company if they would consider using his city as a testing ground. Watch the video from a Israeli news interview after the break to hear the mayor discuss the goings-on in his own words.

[Source: San Francisco Sentinel / YouTube]

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Original post by Domenick Yoney

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Middle East

After lots of initial enthusiasm and many deals done, Project Better Place is starting to attract some critics. The most recent fault-finding flak comes from Karin Kloosterman who suggests that PBP is “green smoke and mirrors.” In a piece for the Huffington Post….wait a sec., isn’t that a website for latte-slurping, Prius-collecting, (etc. etc.) liberals who are all gaga about the prospect of electric cars? We′ll leave it to you to decide which media outlets are fair and balanced while we focus on this one article.

The Kloosterman piece takes issue with the Project Better Place model on a few fronts. After a few niceties, she takes a jab at the subscription part of the model, comparing it to the Sony Betamax debacle suggesting that the proprietary nature of the battery and car would not compete well in an open market. She follows up that somewhat salient point with the mention of a couple of the problems of establishing battery-swapping infrastructure such as cost and available real estate.

Her final points are mostly borrowed from an Israeli commentary. While the suggestion that it may not be a stroke of genius to introduce two million new private cars into the small country and instead divert national development money to city-connecting light rail projects, though slightly overstated, has its merits, her advice to wait until Israel develops a different method of electricity generation does not. While the coal used now may be nasty and ought to be phased out as quickly as possible, it is still cleaner than a multitude of new tailpipes, not to mention that if planned properly, the existing generation capacity may well be sufficient to power the first few years of electric-car influx, thereby reducing overall pollution and CO₂ production and giving further impetus to cleaner future energy generation. Your opinion is always welcomed in the comments section after the post.

[Source: Huffington Post]

 

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Original post by Domenick Yoney

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Renault, Japan

While Nissan/Renault has been very helpful to Project Better Place in Israel by offering to supply electric cars that will work with their recharging and battery swapping service, its cooperation with PBP may not be extending to its homeland of Japan. Not only has Nissan undertaken its own investigation to decide what business model is best suited for the island nation (Like the “Project,” they are looking closely at the battery-lease model as a way to keep the initial vehicle purchase price low), its already begun putting together a consortium of companies to deal with everything from batteries to real estate.

Nissan, as well as Mitsubishi and Subaru, are also participants in a project sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. This electric vehicle promotional effort, said to continue until 2015, will involve charging station testing, examine different insurance models, and attempt to get the public on-board.

Though there was talk of Project Better Place making a go of it in Japan, facing competition from its partner on their home turf will probably persuade them to concentrate their expansion efforts on some other island. Click the “read” link for more details.

[Source: Globes]

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Original post by Domenick Yoney

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Renault

Project Better Place is set to expand beyond Israel and Denmark with an agreement for Portugal to join the electric vehicle infrastructure project. Portugese Prime Minister Jose Socrates will soon sign on to the plan that will use electric cars from Renault and Nissan. Part of Project Better Place involves setting up networks of public charging points and battery exchange stations. Utility company Energias de Portugal SA is working with other European utilities to create the Grid for Vehicles charging network. Renault and Nissan are expected to spend $500 million to $1 billion on developing vehicles for the project. Portugal’s investment in the program is not known.

[Source: Forbes]

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: Etc., Legislation and Policy, Green Daily, USA

No one could ever accuse Shai Agassi, the man behind electric-car infrastructure company Project Better Place, of not being ambitious. He has been all over the planet making deals with major car makers and various countries. His American discussions have been somewhat more modest though with a city here, and an island-state there. No longer.

Speaking to the House of Representatives Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming (we have one of those?), Agassi said, “For the price of two months worth of oil, some $100 billion, we can put in place the infrastructure needed to power the nation’s cars and end this oil dependence,” Ambitious, no? He then threw in the “American jobs” angle with, “Of that $100 billion, moreover, some $80 billion will go into jobs that, by their nature, can only be performed in the US - the construction of the infrastructure itself.”

In the mood for throwing out big numbers and lofty goals, the man-on-a-mission even pitched renewable sources to power the nations automotive fleet saying, “For the price of one year’s worth of oil, some $500 billion, we can go even farther - creating fully renewable electrical generation sufficient to power all of the nation′s vehicles. In so doing, we will again create jobs that can only be performed in this country, and we will give a much broader stimulus to the renewables energy market.” No word on what kind of impression was made on the politicians but we hope it got some hamster wheels turning. Check out the video after the break to gain your own impression of Agassi′s vision.

[Source: Globes]

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Original post by Domenick Yoney