Reports: Better Place could launch Israeli operation in August

Better Place could begin selling electric battery operated cars in Israel as early as August, according to reports in the Israeli press.

The company founded by entrepreneur Shai Agassi in 2007 is building a supporting infrastructure for electric cars that would allow motorists to swap batteries at a series of stations across the country as well as owning a charging station at home.

Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonoth reported yesterday that Better Place had closed its visitor centre at Glilot Junction to convert it into a flagship sales showroom for its first EV model, the Renault manufactured Fluence ZE. A second Renault model, the Zoe, is to follow soon after.

However, speaking to Chinese news agency Xinhua, Better Place spokeswoman Julie Mullins played down the rumours.

"We have not announced the opening yet, so this is all speculation," she said. "I cannot say when we will be ready to start selling to the public."

When the scheme is launched, Israel will be the first country in the world to install the cutting edge electric car network and has been chosen to act as a pilot for expansions into Denmark, Hawaii and Australia.

Better Place already has 1,000 charging points across the country as well as nine battery switching stations, and expects this number to top 40 by the end of the year after signing a deal with the Dor Alon petrol station chain to install battery replacement points for the electric vehicles at all of its stations.

To help uptake further, the Israeli government will levy a 10 per cent purchase tax on electric vehicles, compared with a 90 per cent hike on regular cars.

Better Place is expected to announce the cost of the cars in May, but Agassi has vowed to ensure that the price of purchasing and using an electric car will be lower than the current costs of buying and running a petrol car.