Quick dropping the EV

Making electric cars more cost-effective

If plug-in vehicles are to ever become cost-effective for the masses, there is a very good chance that new battery technologies beyond lithium-ion will be required. Unfortunately, such new technologies could take decades to develop. Of course, ideas like dynamic charging, where plug-in vehicles could charge while driving, could change that by requiring smaller battery packs.

Likewise, Better Place's idea for "quick dropping" battery packs could also be a difference maker, and Renault and Better Place will be putting this idea to the test in France with a public trial.

While it seems a pretty radical idea, if Better Place can prove the viability of the quick drop, they'll be at the forefront of an entirely new business model of car ownership that not only promises to make EV ownership much cheaper, but car ownership.

Big 3 still don't "get it"

Simply not enough

Ask some of the world's "most prominent venture investors", about the direction of the US auto industry , and they will tell you it "remains too wedded to a dying business model and too out of touch with the sources of innovation to become competitive again".

Instead, these investors are looking to the likes of Fisker, Tesla, Bloomenergy and Better Place.

According to Vinod Khosla, Managing General Partner of Khosla Ventures, companies like Better Place are rethinking the auto industry with "business model innovation".

Still, it's a lot easier to rethink your business model when you're aren't producing millions of vehicles every year. Nonetheless, with numerous Asian automakers - let along Silicon Valley startups - quickly ramping up production, quality and ideas, it does seem that the Big 3 will need to redefine themselves in order to survive another hundred years.

Chevy Volt v. Better Place - Which is a niche?

Neither, both?

Just came across some ramblings on Autobloggreen regarding Shai Agassi's comments calling the Chevy Volt a niche, which seemed to disturb the author.

Instead of buying a $40,000 car, Project Better Place would have drivers pay to access a network of charging spots and conveniently located battery exchange stations powered by renewable energy, plus a mileage fee. This, according to Project Better Place, would make cars much more affordable, even free in some markets.

Before getting too hot and bothered, both the Volt and Project Better Place need to prove their technology. Still, study after study after study demonstrates that consumers are primarily focused on up front costs when buying a new vehicle. Thus, it's obvious that Project Better Place's cell phone business model has potential.

Nonetheless, it will take decades to develop the infrastructure required for Project Better Place to work in America. One day, however, such a model could make range extended electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids nothing but niches. Of course, one day both vehicles might actually be sold in the real world.....one day. Until then, anything is possible.

Project Better Place: Fill 'er up with batteries?

Israel ready to go electric?

Back in October the NYTimes ran a story on Shai Agassi (more), a 39 year old entrepreneur with high tech roots whom had raised $200 million to develop 'gas' stations for electric cars. Instead of gas, lithium-ion batteries will be replaced with fully charged batteries. Thus, charging won't take hours, not even half an hour. Your battery is simply replaced.

Recently, Israel announced a plan to develop such a system of electric car stations by 2011. Agassi's 'Project Better Place' will develop the stations and Renault-Nissan will produce the electric cars.

So, could such a plan scale to the US? First, the electric cars to be used in Israel will only have about 100 mile range, in the US that might not be sufficient. Will Project Better Place create 'recharging stations' that can accept different sized batteries, for example? Thus, standardization seems like a big obstacle. Second, what about liability? Will Project Better Place assume full responsibility for any battery problems?

Still, Project Better Place is an interesting idea, even if just a niche solution.