Electric car venture Better Place LLC today unveiled its national battery recharging and replacement infrastructure. The network already includes 33 stations in operation or under construction, a nationwide network of recharging points, a command and control center, and a fleet management system.
Better Place says that by the time of the commercial launch, scheduled for the second quarter, dozens of stations will be operational to provide nationwide coverage, and that the company will expand the network in line with the growth in customers and electric car users.
Better Place says that the service cost of its electric cars is more than 40% less than for gasoline powered cars, and that the insurance premiums for the electric cars is 20% less (about NIS 1,000). The electric cars fuel will also save consumers thousands of shekels a year. The company's service package cuts the monthly subscription cost by 20%.
Better Place added that more than 50 Israeli companies already have ordered electric cars for their fleets, and that leasing companies have ordered 1,500 cars. It has signed agreements with four leasing companies. One of the companies is reportedly Avis Israel Ltd., although there has been no official announcement.
100 families are using the electric car in the prelaunch phase, and the cars have driven more than 100,000 kilometers during the pilot.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 9, 2012
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