Jerusalem Signs Agreement to Expand Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles

Left to right: CEO, Better Place Israel, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Moshe Kaplinsky; Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat; and Better Place Founder and CEO Shai Agassi. Photo courtesy of Flickr.com.

Jerusalem, one of the oldest and holiest cities in the world, is making a move to become one of the greenest cities as well. Mayor Nir Barkat has just signed a new substantial agreement with Better Place Israel to begin the development of a charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in the city.

Better Place, a international provider of electric vehicle infrastructure, services, and intelligent network design, has already placed several charge spots at the entrance of the city as part of the pilot program that will take place next year.

“Electric transportation presents the promise of reducing air pollution and preserving the capital for future generations, while contributing to the reduction of the country’s dependence on oil,” said the mayor during the signing ceremony.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.com

The agreement specifies that the infrastructure will be deployed first on major city streets and public sites such as: Safra Square, Herzel Museum, the Yad VaShem parking lot, and Independence Park.

Better Place has already begun installing several charging spots throughout the city including near the central post office, where 20 charging spots have been installed. A total of 100 charge spots will be deployed during this initial stage.

Over the next 18 months, Better Place and the city plan to conduct a comprehensive test of the charging infrastructure, including charging spots, battery switch stations, and the energy management system.

Barkat commented that, “The Jerusalem of the present is not only a city with a grand past, but a city that looks toward the future. A city that encourages innovation and excellence, and will constantly seek to improve the life of its residents.”

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