Infrastructure of battery-charging stations planned

The cell phone of the car industry

A new of network of subscription-based electric fuel stations with lease and credit subsidized-electric vehicles will be launched around 2010 if Shai Agassi has his way.

"Shai Agassi, a Silicon Valley technologist who was in competition to become chief executive of SAP, one of the world’s largest software companies, has re-emerged with a grand plan to reinvent the world’s automobile industry around battery-powered all-electric cars.

Others are developing green cars, like the Tesla and Chevrolet Volt. However, Mr. Agassi is not planning to make cars, but instead wants to deploy an infrastructure of battery-charging stations in the United States, Europe and the developing world."(more)

According to the NYTimes, Agassi has already raised some $200 million in venture capital funding, so it sounds like this is the real deal.

The coolest thing about the idea: you can drive cross country, have your battery replaced on the fly at a charging station in about 2-3 minutes, and keep cruising. Very interesting venture.