The Delivery of the First Tens of Cars to Employees in Israel
Sunday, 29 JAN 2012
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Just four years ago, almost to the today – we stood together with President Peres and Carlos Ghosn and announced our commitment to break the world’s dependence on oil, starting in Israel. We were a small start-up with a powerful vision and what many called an audacious plan. Today, on our fourth anniversary, that audacious plan reached another important milestone: the delivery of the first tens of cars to employees in Israel. As you can see in the attached photos, today was a celebration, followed by a joint drive of all cars through the streets of Israel.
Better Place opens first electric vehicle demonstration center
THURSDAY, 11 FEB 2010
In early February 2010, Better Place held the grand opening of the company’s first electric vehicle (EV) demonstration center in Israel.
The company marked the occasion by announcing the signing of 92 corporate fleet owners to date as well as a partnership with Dor Alon, one of Israel’s leading gas station operators, for the deployment of battery switch stations at Dor Alon’s facilities. Leading companies including Computer Associates and Motorola joined the ranks of 92 Better Place Vision Partners that have agreed to convert a portion of over 45,000 internal combustion engine cars to electric vehicles from Renault when commercially available in 2011.
The opening of the Better Place Center represents an important step for the company as it prepares for commercial launch in Israel and Denmark next year. The Center is open to the public to come and familiarize themselves with all aspects of the Better Place solution: a fully electric, battery-powered car; a comprehensive infrastructure that includes charge spots and a battery switch station; and a comprehensive suite of in-car services designed to provide drivers with the best possible EV driving experience.
“Today’s announcement marks another step toward our commercial launch next year in Israel,” said Moshe Kaplinsky, CEO, Better Place Israel. “Israel welcomes the world to come and experience the thrill of clean, electric vehicles.”
Better Place Israel signs agreement with Jerusalem to shift to electric transportation
THURSDAY, 22 OCT 2009
Better Place Israel signed an agreement with Jerusalem Mayor, Nir Barkat to begin the deployment of a charging infrastructure for electrical cars in Jerusalem. The ceremony was held at the entrance to the city, not far from the Chords Bridge, and was attended by mayors from around the world. Several charge spots have already been placed at the entrance to the city as part of the pilot that will take place next year. Read more here.
Railway commuters get charge spots
MONDAY, 03 AUG 2009
Israel Railways and Better Place signed an agreement to develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure in train station parking lots. The agreement, signed by Haki Harel, CEO of Israel Railways, and Moshe Kaplinsky, CEO of Better Place Israel, calls for Better Place to install and operate 220 charge spots in parking lots that serve thousands of vehicles every day. Israel Railways will erect signs near these charge spots to ensure ease of use and high visibility. In the coming months, Better Place will deploy at train stations in Bat Galim, Central Haifa , Acre, Beit Yeoshua, Herzliah, Hod Hasharon, Rosh Ha’ayin, Petah Tiqwa Sgula, Petah Tiqwa Kiryat Arie, Bnei Brak, and Moddin.
shop and charge: israel malls to offer Better Place charging in their parking lots
MONDAY, 20 JUL 2009
Israel Malls, the leading shopping center group, and Better Place signed an agreement to deploy electric vehicle charge spots in shopping center parking lots. Israel Malls owns 17 of these shopping centers, attracting over 180,000 visitors daily. Initially, the charge spots will appear in six of the largest malls in Israel: Grand Mall Avnat (Petach Tikva), Grand Kenyon (Haifa), Hasharon Mall (Netanya), Chonim Konim (Rishon Le-Zion), Bilu Center (Rehovot), and Hagiva Mall (Giv’at Shmuel).
consumer demand for EVs: Israelis say "yes" to electric car solution
MONDAY, 13 JUL 2009
57% of Israeli drivers are interested in an electric vehicle for their next purchase, according to a recent study on of drivers. Interest spans all demographics and driving patterns, dispelling concerns that EVs are niche products. Study was part of a five country research effort conducted by IPSOS market research company, sponsored by Better Place.
First Better Place Charge Spots Installed in Israel
Thursday, 11 Dec 2008
Better Place Israel team breaks ground in Cinema City, Israel, with the first charge spots of the Better Place infrastructure.
Better Place unveils design and deployment of charging spot and electric parking lots in Israel
MONDAY, 08 DEC 2008
(Dec 08 2008) Better Place Israel, which is deploying the world’s first nationwide network for charging electric vehicles, demonstrated for the first time its charging spot plugged in and charging an electric car in Israel. The company unveiled its first plugged in parking lots as well as the charging spot design that will be used in deployments around the world.
Israel Partnership
WEDNESDAY, 19 NOV 2008
(Jan 21 2008) Israel announced its partnership with Better Place and Renault-Nissan, making it the first nation in the world to commit to an all-electric car infrastructure. Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert were prime forces behind the signing of the deal, having backed Better Place founder Shai Agassi’s vision for many years.
Israel is an ideal early adopter of the Better Place model. The country is geographically small, with all major urban centers less than 150 kilometers apart, and 90% of car owners drive less than 70 kilometers per day. Like Europe, it has high taxes on gasoline coupled with economic policy to incent consumers to buy zero-emission vehicles. And it has a growing solar power sector that stands to gain an important new market for its green energy with the electric recharge grid.
Israel will be well on its way to achieving its stated goal of oil independence by 2020.