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

Former software engineer and Better Place Founder and CEO Shai Agassi is betting the world will love the functional and environmentally friendly electric car.

Now, Israel, Denmark and Australia have taken him up on that bet with the prize being a world that lives free from oil.

In January 2008, the government of oil-poor Israel announced that it will endorse a broad effort to promote the use of electric cars throughout the country. In March, Denmark's state-owned energy company joined in. In October, Better Place partners committed to build the infrastructure needed in Australia.

Better Place is introducing electric cars to the Israeli market by 2010 and then to Denmark in 2011 and Australia in 2012. By following the business model pioneered by cell phone companies, Better Place 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 charging spots and exchange stations. 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 electric cars produce less global warming pollution than gasoline cars. And, as all three countries shift their electricity mix from fossil fuel to clean power, electric cars will become clean cars. Denmark has a head-start with about 20 percent of its electricity generation coming from wind power. The development of the Better Place infrastructure will lead to more "green" jobs and less dependence on foreign oil, helping to stabilize each country's economy. Drivers will be able to make the shift to electric without sacrificing performance they currently enjoy with gas powered vehicles.

"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 scalable 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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