US-Based Company Helps Denmark and Israel Get Behind the Wheel of Electric Cars

Former software engineer and company executive Shai Agassi bets the world will love the functional and environmentally friendly electric car.

Now, Israel and Denmark have taken him up on that bet.

In January 2008, the government of oil-poor Israel announced that it will endorse a broad effort to promote use of electric cars throughout the country. And, in March, Denmark's state-owned energy company joined in. Both countries will do it with the help of Agassi's California-based company, Project Better Place.

Project Better Place intends to introduce electric cars and charging infrastructure to the Israeli market by 2010 and then to Denmark in 2011 by following a business model pioneered by cell phone companies: The company will coordinate the sale of electric cars at an affordable price (combined with a government tax incentive for clean vehicles), and offer users a monthly mileage plan. When a car's battery power runs low, drivers will be able to recharge or swap batteries at one of the soon-to-be-constructed battery recharge and replacement centers. Project Better Place will establish the infrastructure of 500,000 charging spots, while partner Renault-Nissan provides the compatible cars and batteries.

One benefit of Agassi's plan is that battery-electric cars produce less global warming pollution than gasoline cars. And, as Israel and Denmark shift their electricity mix from coal to natural gas and clean renewable power, electric cars will generate even fewer emissions. Denmark already has a head-start with about 20% of its electricity generation coming from wind power.
"We have crossed a historic threshold where electricity and batteries provide a cheaper alternative for consumers," says Shai Agassi. "Existing technology, coupled with the right business model and a scaleable infrastructure, can provide an immediate solution and significantly decrease carbon emissions."

This is just one example of how individuals, organizations, businesses and governments are helping to stop climate change. There are thousands more across the country and around the world – and it’s through these efforts that we’re going to be successful. We can’t afford not to succeed in this unprecedented challenge to our planet.

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