GROUP

BETTER PLACE FOCUS

The aim of the Better Place company is to reduce global oil dependency by setting up electric vehicle infrastructures.  The Renault-Nissan Alliance signed a breakthrough partnership with Better Place in February 2008 to launch Israel's first electric vehicles. This ambitious project points to the automotive future.

Launching electric vehicles in Israel by 2011 

In a world first, Renault-Nissan and Better Place signed a memorandum of understanding to provide the necessary conditions for the successful launch of electric vehicles.

 

Renault is a main partner of this ambitious project to upgrade Israel’s transport infrastructures and promote the use of clean energy.

 

Each party has a role to play in the project:

  • The Israeli government will help customers through tax incentives.
  • Renault will provide 100% electric vehicles.
  • Better Place will build an electric battery recharging network across the country.

The objective is to launch electric vehicles in Israel from 2011.

A new automotive approach 

100% electric vehicles

 

Renault’s all-electric vehicles will enable the Renault-Nissan Alliance to meet its zero-emission objective. In addition, these vehicles will boast the same performance as 1.6-liter gasoline models. They will be fitted with lithium-ion batteries for increased range and durability.

 

Innovative energy network

 

The recharging network developed by Better Place will in the long-term provide:

  • nearly 500,000 battery recharging stations,
  • battery switching stations,
  • a customer information system.

An ideal mass market 

This launch is based on an innovative economic model. Consumers, benefiting from tax incentives, will buy their vehicle and use energy on a subscription basis.

 

In a country where 90% of motorists travel less than 70 km a day and where urban centers are no more than 150 km apart, electric cars could become the leading transport mode.

 

This is the first ever practical illustration of the Renault-Nissan commitment to market zero-emission vehicles worldwide on a large scale. This initiative is being followed by the announcement of development projects in Denmark, Portugal and other countries.

September 2009: shifting gear 

On September 15, 2009, Renault and Better Place announced a new, expanded agreement for Renault’s first passenger electric vehicle, Fluence ZE. Renault and Better Place commit to a volume of at least 100.000 vehicles in Israel and Denmark, creating the world’s first mass market zero-emission vehicle with switchable battery

 

The signature of this definitive agreement reflects their partnership in Israel and Denmark. The agreement marks nearly two years of

development effort in creating the world’s first mass market zero-emission vehicle with switchable battery.

 

In Israel, this vehicle will benefit from a four-year - 120,000 km - warranty, for the first time on this market. First deliveries will start first half-year 2011. Cars will then be available in specific Better Place outlets, as well as in some Renault dealers. Customers will benefit from
the extensive Renault aftersales network, under a comprehensive maintenance contract


In Denmark, Renault and Better Place will work in a close partnership. The cars will be sold through the Renault network and benefit from Better Place subscriptions, which include access to an extensive electric vehicle network of charge spots and battery switch stations, all
managed by the Better Place EV services platform.