In yet another step toward a secure economic and clean energy future, Governor Lingle and Shai Agassi, founder and CEO of Better Place, unveiled a plan to bring an electric-car network to Hawai`i, creating a model for the adoption of electric cars in the U.S. Clean Energy Model Leads Nation
Shai Agassi, founder and CEO of Better Place (left), shows Governor Lingle and Representative Gene Ward the battery of an electric car.
The plan – only the second of its kind in the nation – will help fuel Hawai`i's drive to lead the nation in renewable energy use while creating jobs locally.
"We would like to bring in jobs instead of oil," Agassi said as he shared his vision that Hawai`i will serve as a model for other states across the nation.
Governor Lingle emphasized the strategic importance of the plan, which will create a favorable environment for investments in the state.
"Once [investors] know that our commitment is sincere, that the people of our state are behind this, that our Congressional delegation is behind this, people are going to want to come where people are serious about reaching energy independence and a clean energy future," said Governor Lingle. "This is that place, that perfect place. Today it’s that better place."
The announcement builds on the momentum set forth in the Hawai`i Clean Energy Initiative, a bold and ambitious partnership established in January between the State of Hawai`i and U.S. Department of Energy that seeks to obtain 70 percent of Hawai`i's energy from clean, renewable sources by 2030.
"The announcement is a significant move towards our state gaining independence from foreign oil," the Governor said, adding that it also highlights the importance the Administration places on finding innovative ways to attract investments in energy technology.
The historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Hawaiian Electric Companies and Better Place Hawai`i is evidence of an agreement to collaborate on both the infrastructure and energy sources to power Better Place's unique network of public charging spots and battery swapping stations with renewable energy. The partnership also capitalizes on Better Place's innovative business model and Hawai`i's abundant renewable energy resources to deliver the large-scale deployment of electrical vehicles throughout the state.
Better Place is the world's leading sustainability mobility operator. The company plans to begin permitting for the network within the next year and begin introducing vehicles within 18 months, with mass-market availability of electric cars in 2012. Hawai`i joins Israel, Denmark, Australia and California in its commitment to deploying the world's first electric car networks.
