Israel, a Great Market for Renault EVs

Israel may turn out to be a great market for Renault's future electric vehicles. Despite the fact that the country has never been at the center of the automotive industry, in terms of both production and sales, Israel has the potential to become a faithful Renault customer.

At least this is what Shai Agassi, head of California-based Better Place says. In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the official said that the future Renault electric vehicles will be cheaper than regular ones, allowing for bigger volume. Why Israel, you might ask.

"We have pledges from 50 firms in Israel that plan to replace company cars with 35,000 electric cars starting in 2011," Agassi was quoted as saying by the source.

Better Place is in the position to make statements regarding Renault and its business thanks to the partnership it has with the French. Apart for the electric car concept with the Renault-Nissan alliance, Better Place has also managed to create a battery swapping system for EVs.

Thanks to the new system, the battery switch is made automatically. A platform below the vehicle will align under the battery, initiate the battery release process and lower the battery from the vehicle. It will then replace the depleted battery with a fully-charged one. Needless to say, the driver doesn't even have to leave the car while the process is completed.

As for Renault, the French manufacturer will present four electric concepts that will preview the company's Zero Emission product range.