Yesterday, we had the chance to visit Better Place, a company that is focused on producing and integrating fully electric cars into mainstream Israel within the next year.
Upon arrival, the place itself felt mildly cult-like: minimalist design, expensive and impressive looking gadgets sprinkled throughout the main lobby, lots of attractive people in crisp white logo button down shirts, and of course the obligatory free coffee/espresso/hot chocolate vending machine (that clearly our group swarmed...jews, eh!). First we were ushered into a large video room and seated into recycled car seats (which were way more comfortable and chic than I think they will come across here) to watch a 20 minute video on the need for electric cars, and how the world's dependence on oil is destroying the earth and all livings things that dwell on it. Let's just say, the marketing people in this company are spot on with drawing in their audiences, as by the end of the video, our group was basically in agreement that the "future is electric" (that one might be a trademark of Better Place, so here is there credit). Then came the best part....driving the cars!! In groups of 3 we loaded into the cars and each got to take it for a spin around the track.
this is how excited I was to drive the car...not so flattering, but gets the point across!
A few of the strange things with electric cars: No muffler (since there is no fuel, there is no exhaust), and literally no start up noises - all you heard when you "started the engine" were two clicks. Felt like I was turning a video game car on, and not a real one! Surprisingly, the thing still had pretty good pick up and speed, and was a real quiet & smooth ride. Anyways, pretty cool place, and a great idea. If you are interested, check out their website: Shalom!
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