Bad news for fans of the Better Place plan - maybe. According to a report on an Israeli business website, Renault executives at a conference in Geneva have said that the electric car bound for Israel, to be franchised by Shai Agassi's Better Place, will be delayed by a year. However, the website also states 2011 as the new launch date which is basically when Renault has originally said it would happen. Perhaps it is just a matter of it happening at year's end rather than the beginning. No reason for the delay was mentioned but, if real, it could have something to do with newly-announced cost-cutting measures that will see the departure of 6,000 Renault employees. Of course, it might just be that the company already has its hands full preparing the six different liquid-fueled Megane III models it says will be available. Based on a slightly lengthened 2010 Megane III (pictured above), the electric version of the car was to be sold in other countries as well. Hopefully the French automaker won't wait too long to deliver on its earlier promise. Israel is a relatively small market and there are other electric car competitors getting ready to grab up precious market share.

[Source: Globes}

If competition spurs companies to improve the quality of their offerings and the speed with which they innovate, then we may soon expect more from Shai Agassi's Better Place and its partner in Israel, Renault. While BYD already announced they would be selling electric vehicles in Israel earlier this month, that pronunciation gains serious weight with the news that IDB Holding Corp. Ltd. is said to be close to officially announcing a deal with the Chinese automaker to bring both its all-electric E6 and its 60 mile plug-in serial hybrid (PHEV) F6DM to the Jewish state.

IDB, which is run by its largest shareholder, Nochi Dankner, has interests in most areas of the Israeli economy save for automobile importing. The shouldn't prove overly problematic as the Lubinsky and Livnat families, who together hold 50 percent of the company, are currently importers of Peugeot and Citroen and have experience in the truck industry. They also operate a network of service stations and "logistic centers." It should be interesting to see whether they employ a cooperative or confrontational approach to competing with the Better Place and their partner, Renault. You bring the popcorn and we'll bring the details of any upcoming battles royale.

[Source: Globes Online]

Chinese automaker BYD has announced that it is going to start selling electric cars in Israel by 2009, as well as European markets in the following years. The planned models are the BYD E6 and a Plug-in Hybrid F6DM, which will benefit from Israel's soon-to-be installed electric charging stations network although I don't know what Nissan-Renault/Better Place think about this.

The specs for the cars don't look bad, so let's hope they reach our expectations. The BYD E6 seats 5 and runs from 0-100 km/h in about 10 seconds, and uses BYD's own lithium-ion iron phosphate batteries, stored behind the rear seats. The F6DM hybrid is a mid-sized sedan with a range of 62 miles (100 km) in the all-electric mode and 267 miles (430 km) total.


[Source: BYD via Gasgoo]

If you are so insecure in yourself or so proud that you are insulted by every little slight, then you have bigger problems that need to be addressed. Case in point, a new ad being run in Israel by Nissan touting the fuel efficiency of the Tiida (sold here as the Versa). The ad portrays some men who bear a striking resemblance to Saudis physically assaulting a Tiida in response to learning of its efficiency. While the ad is clearly racially insensitive and perhaps foolish from a marketing perspective, especially considering the region of the world where it is running it is clearly not a big deal. For Saudi officials to call for punishments to be applied to Nissan is idiotic. Being insulted by anyone is not cause for punishment. If you don't like the ad, don't buy the product. Personally I find the ad to be somewhat immature in it stereotypical depiction of Arabs, and it certainly wouldn't sway me toward this car, I wouldn't deny Nissan or any other company the right to air the ad. Hopefully we won't see any violence result from this.

[Source: Jerusalem Post]

Having the family car converted to run on electricity has become a very popular concept in Palestine. Since we told you about the Peugeot prototype, the two men behind the project, Waseem Khazendar and Fayaz Anan, have heard from over 400 folks willing to throw down the $2,500 they say it would cost to do the work. Only there's one small problem: because of the Israeli blockade currently in place, they only have enough materials to convert 30 or 40 vehicles. The blockade also keeps them from charging significantly less as well, according to the Christian Science Monitor, Annan says he could do the work for a measly $1,700 if the cease-fire that is now in effect holds and more normal trade resumes. Asked about that price tag by the Monitor, Ron Gremban, lead engineer from CalCars.org said, "With the cheapest components I can imagine, it would cost around three times as much over here."

Interestingly, they also talked with Ziva Patir of Project Better Place about the possibility of the Palestinians working with that company. She told them that although she couldn't speak for PBP on the issue, "I believe that business creates peace, and any peace project is good for everybody." Indeed it is.

[Source: Christian Science Monitor]

Inventure Chemical and Seambiotic have announced a joint venture to create a pilot commercial plant which will use algae to produce an array of chemicals and biofuels. The plant uses CO₂ as feedstock for the algae. Inventure Chemicals comes into the partnership with knowledge about second-generation biofuel manufacturing, as it has facilities in operation in Seattle, and Seambiotic brings its newly developed strains of microalgae.

These microalgae were developed a process that they call "algae CO₂ sequestering" in which the strains were fed with exhaust fumes from their power generator's fumes, giving important yields in algae rich in carbohydrates and fatty acids. The carbs can be used to produce ethanol while the fatty acids can be made into biodiesel. This allows Seambiotic to state that their process not only produces biofuels but also can help coal-fired power generators to meet CO₂ reduction mandates. This method could potentially use the self-generated biofuel to make these generators work, closing the loop.

[Source: Seambiotic]

It could be the quickest vehicle to go from concept to a public, drivable prototype in automotive history. As previewed, "Israelis got a first demonstration Sunday of the electric car that developers hope will revolutionize transportation in the country and serve as a pilot for the rest of the world," began the report in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

A parking lot in Tel Aviv hosted the demonstration of the Project Better Place/Renault collaboration. Acceleration was said to be impressive and the silent drive familiar to proponents of electric vehicles was noted in the silver, normal looking sedan. The car is expected to have a range of 125 miles, more than sufficient for most drivers in a nation that's no more than 60 miles wide and 260 long. Haaretz reports that several hundred cars will begin appearing on Israel roads in 2009, with sales to begin in late 2010.

[Haaretz]

One of the launching points for Shai Agassi's Project Better Place is in Israel and it looks like the first tangible progress might be demonstrated this weekend. The CEO of PBP is planning to drive a prototype electric car that is being developed at around noon on Sunday at the Fairgrounds and Conference Center in Tel Aviv Israel. Agassi will apparently provide an update on the status of the project to develop both electric cars and a charging infrastructure. Israel is just one of a number of countries to express interest in the program. According to Israeli President Shimon Peres, the hope is to have electric vehicles on the road in Israel by 2010. If any readers happen to be in Tel Aviv on Sunday and catch this send us a report.

[Source: Jerusalem Post, thanks to Vince for the tip]

Piaggio, the scooter maker best known for making Vespa, will be the first to sell electric vehicles in Isreal, in just one month. According to Ha'aretz, the electric vehicles will be Piaggio's Porter brand, small multipurpose vans (MPV) which come in five types, including models with payload tippers. The vans have 12 or 14 horsepower engines, a top speed of 36 MPH and 155-mile range on a full charge, which takes about two hours from a normal home outlet. The van will cost 120,000 Israeli Shekels ($33,018 US dollars).

Why is Paggio doing this now? Israel recently instated a "green tax" on cars hoping to develop their electric car market. A Paggio company spokesman says they have won approval "in principle" for the tax breaks on the purchase price of cars. Project Better Place and Renault were the first companies to come out in support of Israel's push for electric cars but it's open to any green car maker. I fully expect many more automakers to sign up just like they did with Thailand's government program to make green cars.

Related:

• Israel considering making electric vehicles completely tax free
• Israeli government passes "green tax" on cars
• It's official! Project Better Place, Renault signs deal to bring electric cars to Israel
• Piaggio's MP3 family grows with 500 and 400 models
• Piaggio launches a three and four-wheeled offensive, with diesel and CNG engines

[Source: Ha'aretz, Infolive.tv]

We told you there would be news today of a Project Better Place+Renault deal for electric cars and sure enough, here it is. The Project Better Place website has updated with new images and information. There is a press release about the deal that says "electric vehicles will be available for customers in 2011." There is also a press conference in Jerusalem at 11:40 a.m. IST, Media Q&A at 2:00 p.m. IST and there will be a webcast available online.

So, enjoy the gallery below (Photo credits: Jay Premack, Israel Hadari, Project Better Place), explore the new Project Better Place website and try to catch the press conference webcast. If you miss it, don't worry, I will post about the details of the deal right after the press conference.

[Source: Project Better Pace]

The video above is an interview with the Renault and Nissan (Renault has a 44.3% equity stake in Nissan) CEO, Carlos Ghosn by the Wall Street Journal. Ghosn says electric cars are 3-5 years away from "mass marketization," i.e that's when electric cars will make economic sense. The Wall Street Journal also has an article (or two) about Project Better Place+Renault's expected deal next Monday. Carlos has no comment on the deal but he does confirm the two are in talks about testing electric cars in "congested cities."

Red Herring also has an article about clean technology investment that includes Project Better Place. According to Red Herring, Project Better Place is in the top five clean technology companies that got funding in 2007. I think the $200m Red Herring and the Wall Street Journal uses may be a little low because Project Better may have received an additional $30m from Ofer Shipping Holdings in late December.

There are also fresh rumors that Tower Semiconductor, which is owned by Israel Corp., a Project Better Place investor, may have some kind of development deal. An interesting part to the Tower rumor is that Tower has a connection to the Chinese automaker Chery. How big is this deal? In the video above, Renault CEO Carlos says zero emission cars are in demand and can work in the cities, which represent 20 percent of cars sold.

Carlos says they don't make economic sense right now but cities like Israel plan major investment. If this is what leaked to the press, imagine what they have kept secret? I am looking forward to hearing more details about the connection to Chery and the plant. I don't want to be too optimistic but I expect at least one more city somewhere in the world (say China considering the Chery involvement) to be a part of the announcement ceremony Monday. Stay tuned.

Related:

• Israel Corp to invest $100m in new electric car
• Video of Project Better Place's battery exchange system
• Project Better Place working with Renault, to use fuel cells?
• BREAKING: Project Better Place's electric car debuts, deal with Renault confirmed
• First pictures and video of Project Better Place+Renault's electric car
• Rumors become expectations: Renault CEO to arrive in Israel for electric car project presentation

[Source: Wall Street Journal, Red Herring, Reuters, Globes]

The Jerusalem Post is reporting that the Israeli government passed a "green tax" on cars Sunday. The tax was first proposed by Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On (pictured) and constructed by Boaz Sofer of the Tax Authority. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says "the state of Israel is doing its utmost to be a leading country in the field of alternative energy, which is the energy of the future."

The tax works by sorting cars into 15 categories on a "green index" based on a 100 "green points" system that describes the car. The more green your car, the less tax you pay. So, buying an electric car will cost you a 10 percent purchase tax while a diesel SUV will be charged 60 percent. These rates remain in place until 2014, then will change to 30 percent for clean cars and 50 percent for dirty ones in 2015-2019.

Bar-On says, "This proposal puts Israel at the forefront of helping to protect the environment. ... We are committed to moving forward with this program, and it will hopefully be used as a springboard for the government to start working on other environmentally-friendly projects."

Related:

• Israel considering making electric vehicles completely tax free
• Rumors become expectations: Renault CEO to arrive in Israel for electric car project presentation

[Source: Jerusalem Post]

Globes, one of Israel's leading economic publications, has announced that Carlos Ghosn (Renault President and CEO) is expected to go to Israel for the dedication ceremony for Project Better Place on January 21^st. This project by Shay Agassi is the famous Israeli EV venture we've been speaking about for a long time (check the related links below). Investment is expected to be in the range of $150-300 million but the car won't be built in Israel (maybe by Chery?)

On the other hand, the Green Tax Committee that recommended a purchase tax of 10 percent (compared to 78 percent on regular cars, if you wondered) said that this break should be ended if the market share for EVs exceeds 20 percent. This measure could be valid through the end of 2014 if it's protecting an emerging industry. The GTC also recommended taxing electricity so the cost per kilometer would be similar to the cost of using gasoline or diesel.

Related:

• Shai Agassi: Israel will have 100,000 electric cars in 2 years
• Renault says they might build electric car factory in Israel, partner with Project Better Place
• Israel considering making electric vehicles completely tax free
• Video of Project Better Place's battery exchange system

[Source: Globes online (h/t to Zohar for the tip)]

Update: The Globes article has been removed and Shai has posted an entry to his blog denying this rumor.

Globes is reporting that Shai Agassi, Project Better Place CEO, said Israel will have 100,000 electric cars by 2010. Shai said this at an annual Ministry of Finance budget department meeting speech where he talked about the benefits of electric cars like improved quality of life. Here is Agassi on realizing the potential of electric cars:

If we wait for an unknown science at some university, we might miss the date. ... We must create fourth-generation high-tech. we need to create a new foundation that will give us an advantage and that will last for 15 years. We cannot compete against India in size or demography.

Previously, Shai has said that Better Place's goal is to get 100,000 cars on the road in 2010 but he has never given specifics like location before.

Related:

• Video of Project Better Place's battery exchange system
• Project Better Place working with Renault, to use fuel cells?
• Renault says they might build electric car factory in Israel, partner with Project Better Place
• Israel considering making electric vehicles completely tax free

[Source: Globes and tipster Zohar]

Recently, we told you about rumors of a possible partnership between Renault and Project Better Place. Renault spokesperson, Rochelle Chimenes, confirmed Wednesday that Renault is talking to Project Better Place about a possible partnership and said that a deal could be announced in the first half of 2008. Chimenes also said Renault might build an electric car manufacturing plant in Israel. A Renault electric car factory in Israel is very possible because Israel may make electric car production tax free.

[Source: Forbes, International Herald Tribune]