Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com Autoblog Green http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Better Place's Renault Fluence EV to sell for under $20,000]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/21/better-places-renault-fluence-ev-to-sell-for-under-20-000/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/21/better-places-renault-fluence-ev-to-sell-for-under-20-000/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/21/better-places-renault-fluence-ev-to-sell-for-under-20-000/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Renault Fluence ZE concept - click above for high-res image gallery

While Better Place has made no secret of its partnership with Renault, the company has always put an emphasis on the cheap cost-per-mile aspect of their business model instead of on the cars themselves. Better Place founder and CEO Shai Agassi is now slightly refining the message to emphasize the cheaper up-front cost of the EVs, including the Renault Fluence, instead of the running costs. Perhaps he's learned a lesson from Nissan head Carlos Ghosn. The "we're selling miles" message isn't gone, it's just taking a back seat to the "cheap EV" message. To wit, a new interview with Agassi in Automotive News (subs req'd), which is all about how the cost-per-mile, swappable battery plan means a cheaper electric car. How cheap? Agassi says it'll be under $20,000, and that's before any tax incentives. Better Place's first battery swap station will be installed in Tokyo next month, and the cars could come to the U.S. (starting in Hawaii and San Francisco) in 2012.


Gallery: Renault Fluence ZE concept


[Source: Automotive News (subs req'd)]

Better Place's Renault Fluence EV to sell for under $20,000 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>better placeBetterPlaceshai agassishai agassi better placeShaiAgassiShaiAgassiBetterPlaceMon, 21 Dec 2009 14:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Renault Fluence EV to be assembled in Turkey]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/renault-fluence-ev-to-be-assembled-in-turkey/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/renault-fluence-ev-to-be-assembled-in-turkey/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/renault-fluence-ev-to-be-assembled-in-turkey/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Renault Fluence ZE concept - click above for high res image gallery

Renault this morning made the production announcement for the fourth and final of its upcoming electric vehicles the Fluence sedan (see also: Twizy EV, Zoe Z.E., and Kangoo Z.E.). The battery-powered version of the compact sedan will be rolling off the same line as the gas and diesel versions at Renault's factory in Bursa, Turkey. The Fluence will be the model that Renault offers in Israel and Denmark in conjunction with Better Place. Along with charging from 220 V or 400 V outlets, the Fluence will feature the so-called QuickDrop capability for fast battery swaps. The Fluence will also be offered in other markets, although its not clear if any of those other locations will offer any kind of battery swapping capability.

Production of the Fluence ZE will kick off in the first half of 2011.

Gallery: Renault Fluence ZE concept


[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Renault Fluence EV to be assembled in Turkey

Renault Fluence EV to be assembled in Turkey originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbursa turkeyBursaTurkeyElectric carElectricCarrenaultrenault fluencerenault fluence evRenault Fluence Zero EmissionRenault Fluence Zero EmissionsRenault Fluence Zero Emissions ConceptRenault Z.E.Renault ZERenault Zero EmissionRenaultFluenceRenaultFluenceEvRenaultFluenceZeroEmissionRenaultFluenceZeroEmissionsRenaultFluenceZeroEmissionsConceptRenaultZ.e.RenaultZeRenaultZeroEmissionFri, 13 Nov 2009 10:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Better Place and DSB to pilot electric car sharing for train travelers]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/25/better-place-and-dsb-to-pilot-electric-car-sharing-for-train-tra/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/25/better-place-and-dsb-to-pilot-electric-car-sharing-for-train-tra/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/25/better-place-and-dsb-to-pilot-electric-car-sharing-for-train-tra/#commentsFiled under: , ,




Will trains and cars become the voyaging version of peanut butter and chocolate? Perhaps. Better Place is partnering with DSB, Denmark's largest rail service provider, to offer an electric car sharing service at its train terminals. The project will begin next year with a pilot program at the stations in Høje-Taastrup (pictured above) and Skanderborg. These are seen as great places to start because, not only are they a good distance apart, but they both serve the largest population centers in the country; the East Jutland metropolitan area and the Copenhagen metropolitan area. Also included in the collaboration are charging facilities that will coordinate with the smart grid to supply as much renewable energy as possible for both private and shared vehicles.

If it all works as envisioned, travelers can book their train ticket and reserve an electric car at their destination at the same time. Besides reducing emissions and highway congestion, the service also affords time and space for people to do things besides stare at the highway ahead of them, yet offers them independent mobility where they need it. Hit the jump for a Better Place video demonstrating the idyllic version of this car2train2car experience as well as the official press release.

Source: Better Place via Green Car Congress]

Continue reading Better Place and DSB to pilot electric car sharing for train travelers

Better Place and DSB to pilot electric car sharing for train travelers originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Better PlaceBetterPlacecar sharingCarSharingcharging infrastructureChargingInfrastructureDenmarkelectric car sharingElectricCarSharingHøje-TaastrupSkanderborgSun, 25 Oct 2009 11:51:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Tesla Model S was designed with battery swaps in mind]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/27/report-tesla-model-s-being-designed-with-battery-swaps-in-mind/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/27/report-tesla-model-s-being-designed-with-battery-swaps-in-mind/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/27/report-tesla-model-s-being-designed-with-battery-swaps-in-mind/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Tesla Model S - Click above for high-res image gallery

Recently-resigned Tesla Motors engineering chief Michael Donoughe revealed an interesting tidbit of information on his way out the door. Speaking to Green Car Advisor, Donoughe said that the Model S has been designed to accommodate fast (sub-five minutes) battery swaps. While a quick battery exchange has implications for how the car would be received and used in the real world, Donoughe said that it also helps at the factory when the car is assembled. "As long as you're designing for manufacturing and assembly you can also design for manufacturing, assembly and swap. That's basically what we're looking to do," he told GCA.

Tesla's design "is not at all wedded to Better Place," Donoughe said, referring to the biggest proponent of battery swap technology. The two companies' technologies could work together, he said, but don't have to. Considering that Tesla is planning on selling the Model S, due in late 2011, with different battery options (a base model with 160-mile range pack; and then more expensive packs with 230-mile and 300-mile ranges), figuring out how to swap these different batteries in random locations seems like a logistics problem of tremendous proportions.

Gallery: Tesla Model S


[Source: Green Car Advisor]

REPORT: Tesla Model S was designed with battery swaps in mind originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery swapBatterySwapbetter placeBetterPlacetesla batteriestesla batterytesla battery packtesla battery swaptesla model stesla model s battery packtesla model s battery swaptesla model s sedanTeslaBatteriesTeslaBatteryTeslaBatteryPackTeslaBatterySwapTeslaModelSTeslaModelSBatteryPackTeslaModelSBatterySwapTeslaModelSSedanSun, 27 Sep 2009 19:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Better Place thinks electric cars deserve a software-driven safety net]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/21/better-place-thinks-electric-cars-deserve-a-software-driven-safe/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/21/better-place-thinks-electric-cars-deserve-a-software-driven-safe/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/21/better-place-thinks-electric-cars-deserve-a-software-driven-safe/#commentsFiled under: ,

Better Place battery swap station - click above for high res gallery

While Better Place is happy to tout their successful battery swaps, the company knows that potential electric vehicle drivers can be worried about range. Current EV drivers and advocates have all sorts of answers to this fear, but Better Place has decided that a special software solution is the way to alleviate it. Better Place's Safety Net is part of AutOS, the company's battery analysis software that tells the driver how many miles are left in the battery pack and how far away the nearest charging or battery swap station is. On top of the in-car information system, the information can be accessed on a mobile phone.

What's more important, though, is that Better Place's telematics system allows communication with the Better Place network and, as Sidney Goodman, Better Place's vice president for automotive alliances, told the NYTimes, "If you need to switch batteries, the system will allocate a battery for you at the station so it'll be waiting for you."

Goodman also hinted that Better Place is working on getting more automakers on board to use the Better Place system. Since non-Better Place standards are coming to the EV world, there's a case to be made that time in not on Better Place's side. There are some reports that Better Place is working on making parts of the software available to more car companies.

Gallery: Better Place battery swap station


[Source: NYTimes, AllCarsElectric]

Better Place thinks electric cars deserve a software-driven safety net originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>better placebetter place electric carbetter place safety netbetter place stationBetterPlaceBetterPlaceElectricCarBetterPlaceSafetyNetBetterPlaceStationMon, 21 Sep 2009 17:57:00 EST<![CDATA[How can we "refuel" electric vehicles today and tomorrow?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/greenlings-how-can-we-refuel-electric-vehicles-today-and-tomo/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/greenlings-how-can-we-refuel-electric-vehicles-today-and-tomo/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/greenlings-how-can-we-refuel-electric-vehicles-today-and-tomo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Renault Zero Emission line-up - Click for high-res image gallery

Among the many claimed advantages of electric vehicles are the ability to "refuel" your vehicles at home, never visiting a gas station again. In principle, the only thing you need to "fuel" an EV is a working plug. However, in life, few things ever turn out to be as simple as they might appear on the surface. For example think about your cell phone. If, like most of us here at ABG, you have had multiple different phones over the years, you have of course noted that every one of them seems to have a different and unique charging adapter along with a completely different battery.

In a small hand-held, pocketable device like a phone, it would seem that standardizing batteries and chargers would be a relatively simple thing to do and yet it has only been relatively recently that most phones have begun converging on mini-USB connector standard. Batteries, of course, are an entirely different matter. Now imagine expanding these problems by several orders of magnitude and applying electrification to a car. Cars live in a greater variety of environments and are expected to last a lot longer than the typical consumer electronics device (do you still have your phone from six years ago?). Read on after the jump to learn more about how the problem of charging is being addressed.


Continue reading How can we "refuel" electric vehicles today and tomorrow?

How can we "refuel" electric vehicles today and tomorrow? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>better placeBetterPlacecoulombelectric carelectric carselectric vehicleelectric vehiclesElectricCarElectricCarsElectricVehicleElectricVehiclesev chargerev chargingev charging feasibilityev charging pointev charging stationev charging stationsEvChargerEvChargingEvChargingFeasibilityEvChargingPointEvChargingStationEvChargingStationsfalsefeaturedfeaturesgreenlingshome chargingHomeChargingThu, 17 Sep 2009 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Frankfurt 2009: Renault goes Twizy (with Zoe and Fluence and Kangoo)]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/16/frankfurt-2009-renault-goes-twizy-and-zoe-and-fluence-and-kang/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/16/frankfurt-2009-renault-goes-twizy-and-zoe-and-fluence-and-kang/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/16/frankfurt-2009-renault-goes-twizy-and-zoe-and-fluence-and-kang/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Renault Zero Emission line-up - Click for high-res image gallery

The more we see of Renault's all-electric line-up that is on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the more we want to hang out at company cocktail parties. Something delicious and potent must be on tap there. From the elegant and unexpected lines of the Zoe (above, note the recycle logo) to the buggy quirkiness of the Twizy, Renault is displaying some truly fun-looking electric cars here. Now if only these things were available to drive off the lot today, we'd really be getting somewhere. As we said yesterday when we got Renault's official pics, these cars demand a second look in high-res. Have at it in the gallery below. While you do, we'll hunt down more information on Renault's Quickdrop battery exchange station and what role Better Place has with the technology.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Renault Twizy, Zoe, Kangoo and Fluence EVs


Photos copyright (C)2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.

Frankfurt 2009: Renault goes Twizy (with Zoe and Fluence and Kangoo) originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>frankfurtfrankfurt 2009Frankfurt2009renault fluencerenault fluence evrenault fluence zero emissionrenault fluence zero emissionsrenault kangoorenault twizyrenault zoeRenaultFluenceRenaultFluenceEvRenaultFluenceZeroEmissionRenaultFluenceZeroEmissionsRenaultKangooRenaultTwizyRenaultZoetwizyWed, 16 Sep 2009 19:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Better Place to trial battery-swapping taxis in Tokyo]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/better-place-to-trial-battery-swapping-taxis-in-tokyo/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/better-place-to-trial-battery-swapping-taxis-in-tokyo/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/better-place-to-trial-battery-swapping-taxis-in-tokyo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



When Better Place wanted to demonstrate how their battery switching station would operate they chose Yokohama Japan as the backdrop and now the land of the rising sun is returning some of that love. The electric vehicle infrastructure company has received an "award" to carry out a pilot project involving a switching station and battery-powered taxis operated by Nihon Kotsu in Tokyo. Although cabs comprise just two percent of the cars in Japan they're responsible for a whopping 20 percent of the CO2 emitted. Expressing a desire to replace the entire 60,000-strong Tokyo fleet in the next decade, the trial gets underway modestly in January with up to four vehicles specially prepared using commercially available platforms by the venerable engineering firm Tokyo R&D Co. That company will also build the battery swapper, situated in the Roppongi Hills area in Central Tokyo, and supply the diagnostic software for the three-month test. Besides the taxi business, Better Place also has car rentals and sharing services on its "to do" list. The official press release awaits you after the break.


Gallery: Better Place battery swap station


[Source: Better Place / Bloomberg]
Original photo by letsputphotographsonthe internet. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Continue reading Better Place to trial battery-swapping taxis in Tokyo

Better Place to trial battery-swapping taxis in Tokyo originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery swapping stationbattery switching stationBatterySwappingStationBatterySwitchingStationBetter PlaceBetterPlaceelectric taxiElectricTaxiProject Bette PlaceProjectBettePlaceWed, 26 Aug 2009 13:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Shai Agassi to Australian car industry: become the Saudi Arabia of plug-in cars]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/27/shai-agassi-to-australian-car-industry-become-the-saudi-arabia/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/27/shai-agassi-to-australian-car-industry-become-the-saudi-arabia/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/27/shai-agassi-to-australian-car-industry-become-the-saudi-arabia/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Project Better Place battery swap - Click above for hi-res image gallery

Better Place head Shai Agassi told the Australian car industry that it is looking at "certain extinction" unless it moves towards plug-in vehicles. Never one to let a good quote go by as he tours the world promiting EVs - he recently told the Chinese that the future of the electric car rests on their shoulders - Agassi said that since all new cars will be electric in 20 years (a bold claim), Australia could become the Saudi Arabia of the 21st Century if they quickly start making EVs and the batteries needed to power them. During his Deakins 2009 Eco-Innovation speech in Melbourne, Agassi said:

A billion electric car batteries will need to be made - that is the biggest industrial opportunity in the world today... Australia can pick whether to be an exporter of iron ore, phosphate and lithium, or of kilometres [in the form of batteries].

Better Place is working on an EV infrastructure in Australia that would be in place by late 2012, according to The Age. If Better Place can get just 50,000 cars in Australia to use their battery swap technology, the company will break even, Better Place's Brumby Thornley told The Age. Agassi predicted that electric cars will "quickly drop" to around $20,000 (U.S.) once economies of scale are in place.

Gallery: Better Place battery swap station


[Source: The Age]

Shai Agassi to Australian car industry: become the Saudi Arabia of plug-in cars originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery swapBatterySwapbetter placeBetterPlaceplug inplug in carPlugInPlugInCarshai agassishai agassi australiashai agassi better placeShaiAgassiShaiAgassiAustraliaShaiAgassiBetterPlaceMon, 27 Jul 2009 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Shai Agassi: Hope for the electric car rests on China's shoulders]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/shai-agassi-hope-for-the-electric-car-rests-on-chinas-shoulder/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/shai-agassi-hope-for-the-electric-car-rests-on-chinas-shoulder/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/shai-agassi-hope-for-the-electric-car-rests-on-chinas-shoulder/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Coda electric sedan - Click above for high-res image gallery

"Our goal is not to build a car company," says Better Place CEO Shai Agassi, "Our goal is to end oil." That would be quite an accomplishment, and it's going to take cooperation between the automakers themselves, companies like Better Place that are building and developing an electric vehicle infrastructure and the localities installing them. Oh, and people who drive the cars. According to Agassi, once China gets on the EV train, there's no stopping it.

"Once China does it, you don't have a choice," Agassi said, speaking at WIRED's recent Disruptive by Design Conference. There seem to be definite signs that China will soon become a major player in the electric car marketplace. Here in the U.S., California EV start-up Coda Automotive signed a deal with Chinese automaker Hafei to produce the bones of its electric sedan (pictured) and Volkswagen has teamed up with BYD to produce large-scale batteries for automotive use.

With all of this in mind, what role do you think China will play in the future of electric vehicles? Take part in our poll below.

View Poll


Gallery: Coda EV live


[Source: Wired]
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Mike Levine

Shai Agassi: Hope for the electric car rests on China's shoulders originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>better placebetter place electric carBetterPlaceBetterPlaceElectricCarchinachina electric carChinaElectricCarchinese electric carChineseElectricCarcodacoda automotivecoda electric carcoda electric sedanCodaAutomotiveCodaElectricCarCodaElectricSedanshai agassiShaiAgassiThu, 18 Jun 2009 13:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Better Place finishes first 1,000 battery swaps without problems]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/better-place-finishes-first-1-000-battery-swaps-without-problems/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/better-place-finishes-first-1-000-battery-swaps-without-problems/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/better-place-finishes-first-1-000-battery-swaps-without-problems/#commentsFiled under:


Better Place battery swap station - click above for high res gallery

While the full jury is still out on Better Place's battery swap idea, the first "juror" seems to have made up her mind. The company said last week that its automatic battery exchange stations have swapped out 1,000 batteries and vice president Jason Wolf told attendees at the Smart Grid Innovation Symposium that the swaps have been made without a hitch. The robots in the swap stations have not had any problems exchanging the 400-lb batteries, Wold said. So, one big technical question about Better Place's strategy has, at least for now, been answered. The bigger questions about the financial side of things are still debatable.

Gallery: Better Place battery swap station


[Source: Greentechmedia via International Business Times]

Better Place finishes first 1,000 battery swaps without problems originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery swapbattery swap stationbattery swappingBatterySwapBatterySwappingBatterySwapStationbetter placebetter place battery swapbetter place stationBetterPlaceBetterPlaceBatterySwapBetterPlaceStationTue, 09 Jun 2009 11:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Thinking through the Better Place strategy: is it seriously flawed?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/thinking-through-the-better-place-strategy-is-it-seriously-flaw/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/thinking-through-the-better-place-strategy-is-it-seriously-flaw/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/thinking-through-the-better-place-strategy-is-it-seriously-flaw/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Project Better Place battery swap - Click above for a hi-res image gallery

Last week, Better Place previewed for a wide audience, via a new video, their battery swapping system. The video has kicked off a good discussion over on Peak Oil Garage that we wanted to share with you. The biggest question raised, I think, is about the batteries that Better Place will use. As we all know, battery technology - while not so advanced that we're all driving 400-mile range EVs - moves quickly. How does this affect Better Place's financial model? They pretty much have to invest in a lot of Gen 1 batteries, because each station will need a fair share of fully-charged packs for the cars that come in for service. But when does Gen 2 kick in? Will Better Place be able to recycle the packs into the newer types? What will that cost?

Another major question relates to the long-term plan. One way to cut down on the number of packs any individual station needs is to make the stations be able to quick-charge the packs. But, the more you overcome the technological hurdles to quick-charging, the less you need to swap batteries.

The original post on Peak Oil Garage says, "Much like hydrogen, the more you look at Project Better Place, the worse it appears." Whaddya think?

Gallery: Better Place battery swap station


[Source: Peak Oil Garage]

Thinking through the Better Place strategy: is it seriously flawed? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 22 May 2009 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery swapbattery swap stationbattery swappingBatterySwapBatterySwappingBatterySwapStationbetter placebetter place stationBetterPlaceBetterPlaceStationfeaturedFri, 22 May 2009 16:32:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Better Place battery swapper demonstrated]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/video-better-place-battery-swapper-demonstrated/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/video-better-place-battery-swapper-demonstrated/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/video-better-place-battery-swapper-demonstrated/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Project Better Place battery swap - Click above for a hi-res image gallery

One minute, 13 seconds. That's how long it took for the whiz-bang battery switcher engineered by Better Place to remove a battery from the undercarriage of its Nissan demonstration SUV and replace it with another. That's faster than either the fastest fast charge or filling it up with regular. You don't even get out of your car! Sweet!

The demonstration was part of the official opening of a Better Place exhibit in Yokohama, Japan, as part of a 6-month feasibility study being conducted by the Ministry of the Environment. The Land of the Rising Sun would like a full 50-percent of the cars sold there to be electric-powered by 2020. Besides the battery swapper, the exhibit also has four Better Place charging stations installed and an array of solar panels from Sharp to provide electricity.

While the machinery that conducts the battery switcheroo looks impressively simple and concise and may convince many about the viability of the plan, we suspect it won't enough to silence all the critics of the Better Place model. You can find the official press release along with a video after the jump. Check it all out and let us know if you're persuaded in the comments.


Gallery: Better Place battery swap station


[Source: Better Place]

Continue reading VIDEO: Better Place battery swapper demonstrated

VIDEO: Better Place battery swapper demonstrated originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 13 May 2009 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery swappingbattery switch demonstrationbattery switchingBatterySwappingBatterySwitchDemonstrationBatterySwitchingBetter PlaceBetterPlaceProject Better PlaceProjectBetterPlaceyokohamaWed, 13 May 2009 12:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Shai Agassi talks about Better Place, $20,000 EV, batteries extra]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/shai-agassi-talks-about-better-place-20-000-ev-batteries-extr/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/shai-agassi-talks-about-better-place-20-000-ev-batteries-extr/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/shai-agassi-talks-about-better-place-20-000-ev-batteries-extr/#commentsFiled under: ,

Shai Agassi has big ideas when it comes to electric cars. He wants to build networks of public charging outlets and battery swap stations. He also wants to sell electric cars with a battery subscription plan similar to cell phone calling plans. In an interview with CNET Agassi revealed that he wants to sell his electric car for about $20,000 before any tax credits. With a $7,500 federal credit that price comes down to almost $12,000.

In addition to that price, you still have to pay for miles of battery use. Just like cell phones, Better Place plans to offer a number of mileage plans depending on how far you want to drive.

While this may or may not prove to be a financially viable model, the far more controversial aspect of the company's plan is the battery swapping. The company plans to demonstrate its robotized battery swapping system in Japan next month. So far, only Renault-Nissan has committed to building a car to support this system, but it remains to be seen whether this will truly be technically viable. No automaker that we have spoken to other than Tesla has any plans to go down the path of exchangeable batteries. Without standardized pack formats it's not clear that any swap system can be viable. Either way, Agassi wants to launch his system in Israel in 2011.

Gallery: Better Place


[Source: CNET]

Shai Agassi talks about Better Place, $20,000 EV, batteries extra originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>better placebetterplaceshai agassiShaiAgassiTue, 28 Apr 2009 10:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Project Better Place using AC Propulsion drivetrain, Renault Megane mules]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/project-better-place-using-ac-propulsion-drivetrain-ranault-meg/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/project-better-place-using-ac-propulsion-drivetrain-ranault-meg/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/project-better-place-using-ac-propulsion-drivetrain-ranault-meg/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above and scroll down to watch the video

CBS has posted a short video feature on Better Place and, while the overall information won't be new to any of our regular readers, there are a few things for the hardcore to look for. First, in the opening seconds, you can see the dashboard screen read "AC Propulsion." So, that pretty much confirms the powertrain that Better Place is testing. There are two mules running around in the video, the Renault Mégane and a Nissan EV. In a sort of aside, reporter says that, on top of Better Place's partnership with Nissan and Renault, "other car companies are on the way." Largescale vehicle testing will start next year, and Denmark, Hawaii and Israel will have cars and charging spots in operation in 2011.

One thing that Shai Agassi says that will certainly get some attention is that, if you sign up for the maximum mileage plans (think taxis drivers), Better Place will subsidize the cost of your car all the way down to zero. Enjoy the free phone you get with your cell phone plan? Say hello to the "Oprah for everybody" plan that Shai Agassi wants to offer you. Plus, if you've ever wanted to see the Better Place model illustrated with toy cars and flash drives, this is the video for you. Watch it after the jump. Thanks to Michal B. for the tip!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Project Better Place using AC Propulsion drivetrain, Renault Megane mules

Project Better Place using AC Propulsion drivetrain, Renault Megane mules originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>better placeBetterPlaceelectric carElectricCarnissanrenaultrenault meganerenault megane better placeRenaultMeganeRenaultMeganeBetterPlaceshai agassiShaiAgassiFri, 20 Mar 2009 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Better Place battery swapping plan comes under fire]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/03/11/better-place-battery-swapping-plan-comes-under-fire/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/03/11/better-place-battery-swapping-plan-comes-under-fire/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/03/11/better-place-battery-swapping-plan-comes-under-fire/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Although many share the vision of ubiquitous infrastructure to support future fleets of electric vehicles, the concept of battery swapping, frequently championed by Better Place, doesn't seem to have the same appeal as the fast-charge station. In fact, in the past week, battery swapping has come under a bit of fire from different quarters. On one side of the globe, we have Mercedes' director of group research and car development, Thomas Weber, telling The Marker that not only is the swapping plan dangerous and could result in electrocution or fire, but that, "The industry has not even resolved matters as basic as the optimum location for an electric car's battery or the battery type." Ouch.

Meanwhile here in the States, the president of ECOtality, Johnathan Read, reeled off his own list of perceived problems with rival Better Place's battery swapping station concept. In an interview with the Cleantech Group during the launch of its EV Micro-Climate Working Group in Arizona he said, "It takes 10 or 15 minutes to fast charge, which isn't going to be much quicker or slower than swapping a battery, and certainly a lot less moving parts and potential points of failure. Let alone the capital costs required to build a battery swap infrastructure." He went on to make points about the speed of energy storage evolution and the difficulties of standardization. Of course, we're sure Better Place has already considered many of these points and is most likely in disagreement with the views of its critics. We would like to hear how they would respond but while we wait, feel free to leave your responses in the comments.

[Source: Haaretz / BusinessGreen.com]

Better Place battery swapping plan comes under fire originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery swappingBatterySwappingBetter PlaceBetterPlaceECOtalityelectric vehicle infrastructureElectricVehicleInfrastructurefast chargingFastChargingJohnathan ReadJohnathanReadProject Better PlaceProjectBetterPlaceThomas WeberThomasWeberWed, 11 Mar 2009 07:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Better Place announces 19 "Vision Partners" (aka early buyers) in Israel ]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/better-place-announces-19-vision-partners-aka-early-buyers-i/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/better-place-announces-19-vision-partners-aka-early-buyers-i/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/better-place-announces-19-vision-partners-aka-early-buyers-i/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click on the image above for a gallery of Better Place images

"Vision Partner" sure has a nice ring to it. So positive, so optimistic, and so perfect a name for Better Place's new partners in Israel. Better Place announced this week that it has agreements with 19 companies who want to support Better Place's plug-in vehicle/infrastructure project by being the first to buy the cars when they become commercially available in 2011. Better Place founder and CEO says that these agreements prove "that there is a real demand for electric cars powered by the Better Place network."

The Jerusalem Post lists 13 of the companies: Israel Corporation, Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries, Partner Communications, Pelephone Communications, Orange Communications, Matrix IT, Direct Insurance, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Netafim, Keter Plastics, Orbotech, Manpower Israel, and Glasshouse Technologies. Globes also names Jafora Tabori, SQlink, and Nike Israel as partners. We're trying to find the names of the other three.

Gallery: Better Place


[Source: Better Place, Globes, Jerusalem Post]

Continue reading Better Place announces 19 "Vision Partners" (aka early buyers) in Israel

Better Place announces 19 "Vision Partners" (aka early buyers) in Israel originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>better placeBetterPlaceisraelvision partnersVisionPartnersThu, 26 Feb 2009 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Carlos Ghosn: We're testing the EV this year]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/carlos-ghosn-were-testing-the-ev-this-year/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/carlos-ghosn-were-testing-the-ev-this-year/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/carlos-ghosn-were-testing-the-ev-this-year/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Renault is betting big on electric cars, or at least that's the image they're out peddling everywhere. During a press conference this week in Paris, Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn announced that the French marque will begin testing pure electric cars this year. Specifically, he said that (translated from the French), "the conditions for electric cars to exist have finally been met," and added: "We're testing an EV model this year. It's able to run for 160 km (100 miles), even with the A/C and the radio at full blast." No further details were given. Is this the model for Renault's partnership with Better Place? Is it the model they promised to build for France? Once pure electric vehicles are available, Renault predicts domestic French demand for them could reach about 400,000 cars in 2016; that's roughly 20 percent of the market.

[Source: Le Blog Auto]

Carlos Ghosn: We're testing the EV this year originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carlos ghosnCarlosGhosnev for 2009ev speculationEvFor2009EvSpeculationThu, 26 Feb 2009 09:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Better Place CEO says he needs the Big Three]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/02/16/better-place-says-they-need-the-big-three/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/02/16/better-place-says-they-need-the-big-three/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/02/16/better-place-says-they-need-the-big-three/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above and scroll down to watch the video

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]

Continue reading Better Place CEO says he needs the Big Three

Better Place CEO says he needs the Big Three originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>better placeBetterPlacebruce upbinBruceUpbinisraelMon, 16 Feb 2009 11:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Better Place goes Canadian with Ontario electric car partnership]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/15/better-place-goes-canadian-with-ontario-electric-car-partnership/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/15/better-place-goes-canadian-with-ontario-electric-car-partnership/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/15/better-place-goes-canadian-with-ontario-electric-car-partnership/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The electric car deal-making juggernaut that is Better Place is staking its claim on a new territory. BP representatives are in Ontario this morning and, along with Ontario Premier McGuinty, announced a new partnership to advance the cause of EVs - what they're calling a Car 2.0 model - in the Great White North. Better Place will do this by establishing a Canadian head office in Ontario and build an EV demonstration and education center in Toronto. Ontario is also working on a study, to be released in May, that will determine ways to "speed up the introduction and adoption of electric vehicles" there. Better Place will come up with an EV charging network plan and timeline for Ontario. Bullfrog Power, which partners with Better Place, makes 100 percent renewable energy in Ontario (that's their wind turbine in the picture).

We'll keep an eye out for more information on this latest announcement. For now, go ahead and wade into the weeds of the Better Place plan and technology a bit by clicking here. For more on Ontario's history with electric cars, check this out.

Gallery: Better Place Around The World


[Source: Better Place]

Continue reading Better Place goes Canadian with Ontario electric car partnership

Better Place goes Canadian with Ontario electric car partnership originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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