This could really work in Hawaii. Cut a deal with Hertz, Alamo, etc., and you have an instant user base. Oahu is so small, you could probably get away with just 20 or so swapping stations. Plus if anyone ever runs out of juice, it's pretty easy to drive out to them and swap the battery out in the field, since nothing's ever more than an island's length away.
My one thought is that he shouldn't be making the car and the battery. He needs to just design the battery stands and whatnot and license the technology to "real" car companies.
Hawaii sounds like a good idea. Mostly because a few rental companies own 100% of the cars. Be a good experiment.
But if you're trying to test run for the world, a resort island doesn't prove anything. Israel's just small enough to be feasible. But it's big enough & 'normal' enough to be applicable to most European Countries. It's also got a big advantage that a large number of cars are leased by employers as part of salary packages. Similar advantage to the rentals in Hawaii.
I think there's a need for "If it worked in ___ it could also work in ___". Japan & Korea may do that for China. I'm not sure.
Israel may just do it for a lot of Europe. Even though the fact that Israel has uber high vehicle taxes (I think only Singapore is higher) gives it a huge advantage equivalent to a big subsidy. But in papers & on politicians desks it may not be the same thing.
'Tax Break' sounds better then 'Subsidies.' So a good strategy is finding somewhere with massive taxes.
Some of the other Hawaiian islands might be even easier. Molokai has very few cars and you could go 100% this way. Plus Molokai has a huge emphasis on being green, so this would fit right in.
Comments
This could really work in Hawaii. Cut a deal with Hertz, Alamo, etc., and you have an instant user base. Oahu is so small, you could probably get away with just 20 or so swapping stations. Plus if anyone ever runs out of juice, it's pretty easy to drive out to them and swap the battery out in the field, since nothing's ever more than an island's length away.
My one thought is that he shouldn't be making the car and the battery. He needs to just design the battery stands and whatnot and license the technology to "real" car companies.
I got the impression that he wasn't making the car.. (ie - it was Renault / Nissan who were making the first batch of cars for them..
Hawaii sounds like a good idea. Mostly because a few rental companies own 100% of the cars. Be a good experiment.
But if you're trying to test run for the world, a resort island doesn't prove anything. Israel's just small enough to be feasible. But it's big enough & 'normal' enough to be applicable to most European Countries. It's also got a big advantage that a large number of cars are leased by employers as part of salary packages. Similar advantage to the rentals in Hawaii.
I'm hoping for Japan or South Korea.
I think there's a need for "If it worked in ___ it could also work in ___". Japan & Korea may do that for China. I'm not sure.
Israel may just do it for a lot of Europe. Even though the fact that Israel has uber high vehicle taxes (I think only Singapore is higher) gives it a huge advantage equivalent to a big subsidy. But in papers & on politicians desks it may not be the same thing.
'Tax Break' sounds better then 'Subsidies.' So a good strategy is finding somewhere with massive taxes.
Some of the other Hawaiian islands might be even easier. Molokai has very few cars and you could go 100% this way. Plus Molokai has a huge emphasis on being green, so this would fit right in.