|
Algarve |
![]() |
|
|
Portugal joins ‘Better Place’ project
• 03 Jul 2008 •
 PORTUGAL will be one of the first countries in the world to join the ‘Better Place’ electric car project backed by Renault and Nissan.
According to daily, Diario Economico, Prime Minister Jose Socrates will soon sign the agreement to join the project. The initial contact with the Portuguese government was made by Nissan’s vice-president, Carlos Tavares and, according to the newspaper, the Environment and Economy Ministries will be in charge of the conduction of the process.
Portugal’s EDP is already working with other European power companies on the Grid for Vehicle (G4V) scheme to provide a network of recharging points, the business daily said. Project ‘Better Place’ is a venture-backed company that aims to reduce global dependency on oil through the creation of a market-based transportation infrastructure that supports electric vehicles, providing consumers with a cleaner, sustainable, personal transportation alternative.
Launched in October 2007, Better Place will build its first Electric Recharge Grids in Israel and Denmark and plans to deploy the infrastructure on a country-by-country basis with initial deployments beginning in 2010. Shai Agassi, founder and CEO of Project Better Place said, “We see an oil-free future and a healthier, safer planet. In 2008, Project Better Place will start providing an electric alternative to all high-consumption professional automobiles, like taxis and delivery vehicles. We will then grow from country to country, metropolis to metropolis. Each step of the way, we’ll move closer to making electric vehicles available to the public.”
Project Better Place’s business model for electric cars will look like the model used for mobile phones. Mobile phone operators arrange cell towers to create coverage areas. Similarly, electric cars will be able to travel throughout a network of charging spots and battery exchange stations, with easy access to electricity.
Mr Agassi added: “We believe that it is long past time to begin making it possible for all consumers to choose an electric vehicle that is much less expensive to operate, does not emit any pollution or greenhouse gases and provides a better driving experience from their current automobiles.” |  Return to Top
Home Page
Send by Email |
|
Share on Facebook
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![]()
| Birthdays |
| |
Bill Clinton - 61 - American ex-president,
John Stamos - 44 - American actor,
Roman Polanski - 74 - French-born director and actor, |
|
| |
more... |
|
 |
|
