Better Place Opens First EV Demonstration Center; Dor Alon to Deploy Battery Switch Stations in Israel
07 February 2010
Better Place announced the grand opening of the company’s first electric vehicle (EV) battery switch demonstration center in Israel. (Earlier post.)
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 now join the ranks of 92 Better Place Vision Partners that have agreed to convert a portion of more than 45,000 internal combustion engine cars to electric vehicles from Renault when commercially available in 2011.
The Center, which includes 1 1.5-km test track is open to the public to come and familiarize themselves with all aspects of the Better Place solution: a fully electric, battery-powered car; an infrastructure that includes charge spots and a battery switch station; and a suite of in-car services designed to provide drivers with the best possible EV driving experience. In the near future, the Better Place Center will have the Renault Fluence ZE for demonstrations, which will be available in Israel in 2011.
The Better Place Center is built on the Pi Glilot site—one of the last gasoline storage and distribution centers remaining in Israel. The Better Place Center will be open to the general public beginning 14 Feb.
Small range extenders are a better option and cheaper too. High Performance electric vehicles are a drain on the economy. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 07 February 2010 at 08:58 AM
I see this as a nice PR move. If this helps get people to buy EVs - more power. I for one doubt that people or manufacturers will buy the battery swap component. And we have yet to see any details of the Renault battery specs. Nor has Renault committed to building the car.
The gloomers would cry VaporWare!
Posted by: sulleny | 07 February 2010 at 10:07 AM
The Leaf will put us back to the days of the EV1 almost 20 years ago. Then a few people bought them and there were some charging stations. Now it will be in greater numbers and people will tell their experiences to others.
You could see news stories about how people like their EVs and how convenient it is not having to go to fueling stations. The situation still exists where it is more expensive for the car for less utility (range) but at lower fuel prices.
People can think of convenience, air quality, less imported oil and lots of other factors that may favor EVs. However, they have to take their after tax dollars and buy a car with less range. Most people want the most utility for the least money.
Posted by: SJC | 07 February 2010 at 12:29 PM
PHEVs with smaller, lower cost batteries + a small genset may be the best solution for the next 10+ years or until such time as batteries have evolved to about 3x to 5x the current energy density and cost has gone down at least 4 to 5 times.
Post lithium batteries will be around by 2020+ and the days of practical, affordable, long range BEVs will see the day and probably replace other technologies.
Posted by: HarveyD | 07 February 2010 at 01:08 PM
There are over 500 million ICE light vehicles in use for the less than 1 of 20 drives we make exceeding 100 miles daily.
In other words, electric vehicles can provide 95% of personal travel. It's not like people haven't used electricity before.
Posted by: kelly | 07 February 2010 at 05:09 PM
My pet peeve with EV doubters: someone always brings up some scenario about how a limited range EV is impractical. "I have to drive my wife over 150 miles every Saturday to get her back shaved. I will have to have an ICE for that"
Posted by: Baby Fishmouth | 07 February 2010 at 05:20 PM
Most people do not want less car for the money, and maybe batteries do not quite need to be "3x to 5x the current energy density and cost ... down at least 4 to 5 times" to make EVs what the smart money buys, but they are still many times short of the best buy.
Many view an EV that provides the range they need 95% of the time, like a flight that makes it 95% of the way across the ocean.
When the time comes people will not need to be "sold" on them.
Until then I think these projects are an inefficient way to advance the technology.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 07 February 2010 at 06:50 PM
To cross an ocean, use a jet or boat. Cars don't fly nor do they drive across oceans. One can always find/keep a used ICE car that's worth next to nothing five years down the ICE engine's 1000 worn, scorched moving parts road, though perhaps not afford gas for the annual vacation by then anyway.
Meanwhile, better EV batteries could be switched in for continuing future EV performance improvement.
Lower per mile costs and non 'planned obsolescence' is what GM etc. have feared since they invented planned obsolescence and long before crushing EVs.
No need for extensive near monthly maintenance, gas, or every few years replacing the electric motor/vehicle.
Posted by: kelly | 07 February 2010 at 07:54 PM
TT
Most of my flights are domestic. When I have to cross the ocean I will buy a ticket on a 777 or similar craft that flies that far -- and pay the price for a ticket. Most of the time I will take the lower priced De Havilland Dash 8 to the regional cities where I frequently travel.
We have two cars in my family. I would be happy to have one that either has a 50 mile all electric or a hybrid with 20 mile electric and 100 mile max. The other one can be used for longer trips.
Posted by: JMartin | 07 February 2010 at 08:01 PM
I don't think having more cars is the answer.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 08 February 2010 at 04:54 AM
Until the mass transit GM destroyed is replaced, one could produce EVs only. Cuba's spent fifty years without buying new ICE vehicles.
Posted by: kelly | 08 February 2010 at 07:26 AM
kelly, cuba is not a good example. that was not by the people's choice (no new ICE's).
And i don't see mass trans in the U.S.
EV's will do it. Not far off now.
Posted by: danm | 08 February 2010 at 08:39 AM
danm, Cuba proves life (including better healthcare than the US - WHO) goes on without ICE/GM and the place is over 700 miles long.
Posted by: kelly | 08 February 2010 at 10:50 AM
ROFL Thanks for the laugh Baby Fishmouth....and I agree with you too.
Posted by: DaveD | 08 February 2010 at 01:50 PM