Although I believe that it is incumbent upon Israel to develop alternative energy technologies to free the world from the OPEC stranglehold and reduce the influence of regimes who have nothing of value to offer beyond their diminishing crude reserves, I am afraid this concept is merely an impractical retread of other similar failed programs. From insufficient range as well as the inconvenience and expense, this proposal is more slick marketing than a genuine paradigm shift. The answer is out there yet to be developed, but when it is it will revolutionize the world's transportation systems and forever alter the world's economy.

been resolved. They catch fire. That is great for car sales and insurance companies since replacing a car means the insurance company pays Blue Book value for the burned up car and the customer has to pay retail for another one. Must be a kick back payment there somewhere. The kickback theory becomes compelling when you consider that in California a thief can steal a thousand cars and it is still a misdemeanor offense, not a felony regardless of the value of the car. The insurance companies would not be paying for that unless they get some graft payments is my guess.

Israel is very small country and most Israelis commute less than 50 kilometers a day. I live in the Golan but I also work nearbye in Kiryat Shmona, Karmiel and Kiryat Shmona. An electric car would be perfect for me especially if I can recharge in my garage overnight. I am tired of paying 1,200 sheckels a month for gas with money going to Arab countries.

I floated the idea here on Ynet . I'm glad someone is on the same thought process. Get rid of the gasoline engine. Rid us of the financing of Islamic Terrorism from oil. I sent the same idea to both Obama and McCain during the election......neither of them are doing anything to get us off of this sludge. The United States doesn't have the initiative to stop the oil whoring of the entire planet. Neither party in the United states represents citizens anymore. They represent the status quo conglomerates who sell oil.

Just yell.

at Columbus, the Wright brother, Ford , & Hyam Rickover. Denmark is doing this as well as Spain with Project Better Place and Japan is testing this system with taxis .

the dependence on oil will end. Economically, environmentally, and politically the motivation is there. It will be a combination of technologies. The world is tired of lining the pockets of countries that hate them. Arab leaders better focus on educating their populations, giving them freedoms and allowing them to progress into the modern world or else they are in big trouble. Tiny Israel made a viable prosperous country without an abundance of natural resources-mainly brainpower as its resource. Arab countries have accomplished nothing that hasn't been related to or financed by oil. A few palm tree islands, a tall building, fleets of luxury cars and palaces, and a starving, deprived, oppressed population.

This is not smoke and mirrors. It's a scam. Once enough people have bought the new electric cars, Shai Agassi will start raising the price of an electric charge and he will rape everyone who fell in to the trap. Better Place is just a front for this guy to make billions around the world off of every regular decent person who wants to make a difference. Remember, the entire infrastructure is his! You want a charge? Pay big bucks!! Otherwise learn how to walk quickly if you are in a rush to get somewhere. In the beginning it will look like a good deal. He is a smart cookie. But after there is a certain mass of electric cars, the prices will slowly rise until you will curse the fact that they gave him this exclusive right. Solution? Wait for a manufacturer who will let you charge up at home, and will have batteries that last 500 miles, not 100. And will have batteries that you can replace anywhere, not just at a Better Place Rip-Off center.

I can not believe that any country will give the exclusive right to Shai Agassi or to any one manufacturer so that he can "rape everyone to make billions". Meanwhile, he is doing something about changing the worlds dependency on oil ( and all the other disadvantages that go with it). Renault- Nissan sound like good partners for the inauguration project and I am sure all the major car manufacturers will follow with dozens of electric cars. Competition will control the price!!

Another source of income to pay their insane salaries and benefits!

this is a great idea anh i hope it will work!!

Yeah, I want one... I'll park it right next to my Mustang (I'm just daydreaming a little right now).

The US government is giving a rebate of $7500 per EV. I would call this a bipartsan success story.

Firstly, all cars have batteries and electrical fire incidents are low. Toyota Prius has more batteries, and I have not heard of fire problems. Secondly, You know what does catch fire, gasoline. I have seen gasoline car fires in my life and they are scary. This comes down to new risk=scary, old risk=accepted.

Mr Agassi's business model is questionable from a consumer standpoint. If Iraelis have access to an electrical outlet at home, then why spend money on Better-Place? Better Place will have all the expense of the charging station, the battery swapping stations and the expensive spare battery packs. The consumer will be burdened with these unnecessary costs. Also, if the consumer wants to charge at home, they must buy a special charging station from Better Place. If you don't go with the Better Place system you can plug your EV into a standard outlet. This is the plan in the USA.

Wouldn't the recharge outlets make enough money on other consumer products like petrol stations do now? The battery swap station will be the draw-card to bring in business. Charge at home or swap your batteries, probably much the same cost I would reckon.