Better Place extends Tokyo taxi trial for additional three months
WEDNESDAY, 25 AUG 2010
Better Place today announced that it has extended its switchable-battery electric vehicle (EV) taxi pilot in Tokyo to operate through the end of the year. By extending the trial, Better Place will be able to further evaluate and optimize the design and integration of the components of the system including the battery switch station (BSS), the EV taxis, battery performance and charging as well as driver behavior and consumer acceptance.
The current trial is part of a program run by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The pilot project began on April 26, in cooperation with Nihon Kotsu Co., Tokyo’s largest taxi operator, and focuses on the feasibility of battery switch as means for taxis to have instant, zero emission, range extension. The extension of the program has received approval from the Ministry’s Agency for Resources and Energy, which will maintain its continued role in the project.
Better Place launches switchable-battery electric taxi project in Tokyo
SUNDAY, 25 APR 2010
Better Place today demonstrated the world’s first switchable-battery electric taxi in partnership with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, and Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo’s largest taxi operator. The 90-day project marks the next major milestone leading up to a complete system test of all components of the company’s electric vehicle solution in Israel before year-end.
“Tokyo has more taxis than London, Paris, and New York combined, with approximately 60,000 vehicles, representing a high mileage, high visibility segment that can serve as the catalyst for this technology to transfer to the mass market,” said Kiyotaka Fujii, President of Better Place Japan. “Since our initial announcement of this project, we’ve heard from cities around the world interested in converting their taxi fleets as a concrete way to fight CO2 emissions and urban pollution. Electric taxis are a pragmatic step forward for governments as well as a lucrative segment in the electrification of transport.”
Electric taxis and battery switch coming to Tokyo
TUESDAY, 08 SEP 2009
With funding from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s Natrual Resources and Energy Agency, Better Place is partnering with Tokyo’s largest taxi operator, Nihon Kotsu, to bring the world’s first electric taxis with switchable batteries to Japan. The pilot project will showcase Better Place’s complete electric vehicle solution, including a battery switch station in the Roppongi Hills area of Central Tokyo, and is slated to begin in January 2010.
Why taxis? Although taxis represent only two percent of Japanese passenger vehicles, they account for approximately 20 percent of passenger vehicle carbon dioxide emissions due to the long distances they travel each day. Moreover, taxis provide a heavy-use, real-world application that will be an excellent test of the Better Place solution.
Tokyo has approximately 60,000 taxis, far more than New York, Paris, or Hong Kong, and thus, success with this project could point to opportunities in other urban centers and will bring Better Place one step closer to delivering a cleaner, sustainable transportation solution to drivers worldwide.
Better Place unveils first automated battery switch technology
MONDAY, 11 MAY 2009
The Better Place automated battery switch replaces a depleted EV battery with a fully charged one in just a few minutes, allowing consumers to drive their EVs on long distance trips without actually recharging en route. The process is quicker, cleaner and easier than filling a gas tank, and doesn’t require the driver to leave the vehicle.
The exhibit also features battery recharging via Better Place stationary charge spots. Better Place charge spots, already widely deployed in Israel, will make it easy for Better Place customers as well as other EV owners to charge up wherever they park, and wake up to a fully charged car every morning. The charge spots in Yokohama are powered by renewable energy, courtesy of Sharp Corporation’s photovoltaic solar panels. Better Place services, using renewable energy, will ultimately enable a zero emissions, energy independent future for personal transportation in countries around the world.
Better Place, the only foreign company invited to participate alongside Japanese carmakers, is honored to welcome interested industry, academic, government, and other guests through June 20. For more information on the Better Place solution and battery switch technology, click here.