Renault Fluence electric car prototypes for Better Place LLC will arrive in Israel in a few days. Renault SA (Euronext: RNO) unveiled the Fluence at the UN Copenhagen Climate Change Conference last week.
The prototypes will be used to test the driving system. The cars are equipped with regular batteries, but do not have the rapid battery replacement system that will be included in the regular models. Regular production of the Fluence is still at least 18 months off.
The Fluence prototypes will operate on Israel's roads, and will be shown to selected large car fleets for test drives. Better Place also intends to build a visitors center, which will replace the visitors center at Copenhagen. The display will include prototypes of the proprietary battery recharging system that will be installed at apartment and office buildings, and prototypes of the communications system that will manage the battery recharging and vehicle communications systems.
The Ministry of Transport will reportedly give the Fluence prototypes a license to drive only in closed locations, but not on public roads.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 29, 2009
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2009