BETTER PLACE PARTNERS WITH AGL AND MACQUARIE TO BUILD ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE IN AUSTRALIA

AGL Group General Manager Jeff Dimery said AGL will provide all of the renewable energy needed to power the EVs, while this initiative will accelerate the shift toward renewables that’s already underway. “AGL is committed to increasing its renewable energy generation and believes it is important to collaborate and implement cross-industry initiatives to counter climate change. Because EVs charge primarily at night, they can maximize the potential of intermittent renewable energy such as wind.”

David Roseman, Head of Infrastructure and Utilities Advisory – Australasia, Macquarie Capital Group said, “The Better Place business model is game changing and represents an exciting opportunity for Australian consumers, the environment, domestic automakers, the renewable energy sector, local industry and workers to move to the forefront of the energy revolution.

“Electric vehicles represent a more affordable alternative to the conventional combustion powered vehicle. We believe the combination of a competitively priced vehicle, being driven by cheaper and cleaner fuel is a compelling business case,” Roseman said.

Michael Molitor, Senior Advisor on Carbon Management, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, said, “Better Place is a simple and practical solution to the enormous climate change challenge facing Australia. It is a wonderful example of a low carbon transport solution that is feasible, cost-effective and can achieve results on a scale meaningful to the problem.”
Better Place has an existing partnership with The Renault-Nissan Alliance, the world leader in electric car development. The company is committed to open network access and leverages industry standards, allowing consumers to have a choice of make and model. Better Place expects the first mass market EV models to be available in Australia by the 2012 model year, a year after its mass market launch in Israel and Denmark.