Car 2.0

Date

08 December 2008

By Molly Webb, Head of Smart Technologies, The Climate Group.

It isn't only established players who will create the businesses of the low carbon economy. Disruptive solutions can come from unexpected places.

What happens when telecoms companies apply their expertise to the power sector? A 'smart' grid which allows better communication between users and producers of energy (or so we assume) among other benefits. (see the SMART 2020 report for more info on the opportunities).

What happens when a software expert applies his expertise to the transport sector? Car 2.0, or Better Place. Shai Agassi, formerly of SAP, has developed a business model that makes cars into mobile phones, where it is possible to pay a monthly fee for charging the vehicle at easy to access battery stations.

Shai Agassi, founder and CEO of Better Place, said,

"Countries increasingly realize that we're overdue in moving beyond the high carbon Car 1.0 model, built on the internal combustion engine. It's time to move to the Car 2.0 model of electric cars powered by renewable energy, and we want to make them more appealing for consumers.  We look forward to working with The Climate Group's global network to help accelerate this transition and the decarbonisation of our society." (see press release)

Why is the Internal combustion engines out of date? It is only 35% efficient in turning fuel to mechanical power, compared to electric engines which are 90% efficent.

I'm looking for disrupters, so send any you find my way.