Better Place CEO says he needs the Big Three
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Need a quick update on Better Place? World Focus has a five-minute video that features interviews with founder Shai Agassi, video of the cars testing in Israel and skeptics like Forbes' Bruce Upbin, weighing in on the electric car startup. The clip says that Better Place promises they could have their EV chargin network in place across the U.S. by 2012, given enough government and automaker support. In its home country, Israel, Better Place plans to have several hundred thousands charging stations installed in two years. As we've heard, Better Place is in discussions with more than 25 countries, plus many major automakers and local partners, to expand their program. It sounds like they're going to need the help, as this notable quote from Agassi makes clear: "We're not against Detroit. We're for Detroit. Without the Detroit Three going out and producing millions of cars, electric cars, that fit this model, we don't get the U.S. off of oil." Thanks to Rain for the tip!
[Source: World Focus via HuffPo]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Julius 12:15PM (2/16/2009)
Good luck with that thought... it may seem like the D3 are gone soon regardless.
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GoodCheer 12:22PM (2/16/2009)
"In it's home country, Israel, (...)"
How's that now? Do you mean 'In its [no apostrophe] FIRST country....'
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Sebastian 12:33PM (2/16/2009)
Grr. Yes, that's what I meant. Thanks for catching it.
Tim 2:17PM (2/16/2009)
This is the way to build a new monopoly, "Better Place" is only a better place for Agassi and his company. The Emperor has no clothes, I admire him for moving so quickly, but it is not in the best interest of the public. Of course they want Detroit to build millions of ev's they want the FEES for charging your car. B-P knows what revenue you can make if you make millions of people pay your fees. The US Gov't and Minu's should be building this infrastructure like they do with toll booths and parking meters. Trying to corner the market for charging fees is where the money is, not making a profit from building electric cars. People, remember to raise your red flags just like 'ol T Boone...corner the market, defeat competition, we have to scrutinize this type of infrastructure now sooner than later.
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Tim 2:34PM (2/16/2009)
Tim (#4) said:
"The US Gov't and Minu's should be building this infrastructure like they do with toll booths and parking meters." HELL NO!!!! (unless you're title is "comrade".)
Private companies should be building this infrastructure. Charging fees is where the money is, not making a profit from building electric cars. ABSOLUTELY!!!
Why to you want ANOTHER gov't monopoly over charging infrastructure?
Competition between private companies will build a BETTER infrastructure which is much CHEAPER to operate and LESS EXPENSIVE for consumers to use. Gov't should be keeping monopolies from forming, not becoming a monopoly itself.
mika 2:45PM (2/16/2009)
"This is the way to build a new monopoly,.."
==
Corner the market? There is no market! They are creating a market out of nothing. And nobody is forcing anyone into anything. You don't like their charge stations, charge at home. You don't like their EVs, buy other brands. You don't like using their "propriety standard" charge plugs, get another, or get an adaptor. I really don't understand your criticism.
Tim 3:42PM (2/16/2009)
Don't know if you watched the video, they are looking for US Gov't funding...and they don't support a bailout for the automakers. PBP, has a mixed message that isn't that clear. If they want to do it with private funds, go ahead, but I don't support the US government paying for it unless they are part of the revenue stream and that probably won't happen. A robot will exchange your battery pack? C'mon, maybe in several years. It's just not a well thought out plan and its gaining a lot of press without all of the holes in the plan properly identified.
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mika 4:09PM (2/16/2009)
"If they want to do it with private funds, go ahead, but I don't
support the US government paying for it.."
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As far as I know the only government funding PBP is talking of, is that of incentivizing the purchase/lease of Electric Vehicles thru a tax credit for EVs and a tax levy on non-EVs. That's what they're doing in Israel to speed up the uptake of EV on the road. There's no gov money going towards the construction of the charging infrastructure.
nom de plume 4:48PM (2/16/2009)
While charging stations are certainly going to be in demand, the last thing we need is this silly company to build them. Charging stations don't require any new or exotic technology. Once a manufacturers start making the hardware, gas stations, electric utility companies, local governments, parking lot owners, etc, could install them. They are like self service gas pumps, but without the need for an underground tanks and all that. Many places already have the required power lines and more will be built as needed.
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nom de plume 4:59PM (2/16/2009)
The other issue is one brought up in a previous post. The sort of people that will be early adopters of electric vehicles will likely be similar to the folks who first bought Priuses. They are people who strive to be socially responsible. More than a few have issues with companies like Exxon. I wonder how they would feel about buying electricity from a company that works with the Israeli military.
ronnie schreiber 1:48PM (2/17/2009)
Because, after all, doing business with a company that has ties to the IDF is morally repugnant. Better to give $700 billion a year to the moral avatars, the Saudis, or to petty dictators like Hugo Chavez, right? Let's buy oil from Iran that pays Hamas to shoot missiles, rockets and mortars at Israeli civilians.
Oh, and those folks aren't striving to be "socially responsible", they are striving to portray themselves as morally superior to others.
Sebastian 12:22PM (2/17/2009)
comments on this post have been shut down
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