Milestones
When our founder Shai Agassi was asked this simple question at the 2005 World Economic Forum, nobody could have imagined what would happen next. It sparked an ingenious idea. Which led him to create a company. Now it’s set to start a global movement.
Tel Aviv, January 2008
The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Better Place jointly announce an agreement to deploy the world’s first national charging network for electric vehicles in Israel.
Copenhagen, March 2008
Together with partner DONG (Danish Oil and Natural Gas) Energy, Better Place announce a plan to deploy in Denmark.
Melbourne, October 2008
Better Place announces that Australia will be the site of its third national network to deploy its electric car network, the world’s sixth largest country.
Yokohama, May 2009
Better Place, the only foreign company to participate in the Japanese Ministry of Environment demonstration project, showcases the world’s first battery switch system along with Charge Spots in Yokohama.
Canberra, July 2009
In partnership with ActewAGL and the ACT government, Canberra is selected as the first city for the initial rollout of Better Place electric car infrastructure in Australia.
Frankfurt, September 2009
Better Place and Renault commit to a volume of at least 100,000 battery-switchable Renault fluence Z.E.'s for Israel and Denmark.
Melbourne, November 2009
Better Place Australia secure an initial round of funding of $25 million for its planned network roll-out. The funding round is led by Lend Lease Ventures, energy utility ActewAGL, the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) and several private investors.
London, January 2010
Better Place signs an agreement with an HSBC-led investor consortium for new equity financing of $350 million. The deal marks one of the largest clean-tech investments in history and values Better Place at $1.25 billion.
Tokyo, April 2010
Better Place demonstrates the world’s first switchable-battery electric taxi in partnership with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, and Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo’s largest taxi operator.
New York, September 2010
General Electric and Better Place announce a technology and financing partnership to accelerate the global deployment of electric vehicle infrastructure through collaboration in four key areas: standards-based technology development, battery financing, joint fleet electrification programs and consumer awareness.
Tel Aviv, April 2011
Better Place announce a strategic agreement with China Southern Power Grid Co. (CSG), the world’s eighth largest utility according to the Fortune Global 500. The agreement calls for the companies to open a battery switch station and joint education centre in Guangzhou before the end of the year, while working to formalize a joint-venture partnership.
Canberra, June 2011
ActewAGL and Better Place sign a landmark deal for the supply of renewable energy to Better Place’s electric car charging network in Canberra. This supply agreement is worth approximately $60 million over 10 years, and is the largest renewable energy deal of its kind in Australia. The renewable energy will be drawn from generation sources such as wind, hydro and solar.
Melbourne, June 2011
Better Place and Renault today announce they are expanding their global partnership by bringing the world’s first mass market, zero-emission car with a switchable battery to Australia. As part of the agreement, the two will jointly commence a marketing campaign for the Renault Fluence Z.E. in Australia leading up to launch in 2012.