Electric car venture Better Place Inc. delivered just over 500 Renault Fluence ZE electric cars in Israel in 2012. The company is also struggling in Denmark, the second country where the electric car was launched, after Israel.
The Danish Car Importers Association reports that just 176 electric cars were sold in January-November 2012, including models with a fixed battery that Renault SA (Euronext: RNO) is selling in Europe, rather than the model with a replaceable battery for Better Place. The sales also include cars sold to Better Place itself and demonstration models.
160,000 cars were sold in Denmark in January-November 2012.
Better Place Denmark CEO Johnny Hansen told Danish daily "Berlingska" that sales were slower than expected, due to delays in the deployment of the battery replacement network and recharging stations. He added, however, that 2013 seems encouraging for the electric car market.
Denmark exempts electric cars from the purchase tax, one of the highest in the world. The Fluence ZE cost €27,000 in Demark, not including the service plan, 25% less than a 1.6-liter Mazda 3. Denmark plans to have 220,000 electric cars on its roads by 2020.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 6, 2013
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