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Renault Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn (AP) Last update - 02:10 12/01/2008 Renault Nissan to invest in Israeli electric car project By Daniel Schmil, The Marker Correspondent Tags: Israel, Carlos Ghosn, Renault  Carlos Ghosn, the president of the French-Japanese car manufacturer Renault Nissan, is expected to visit Israel on January 21, and take part in the inauguration event of the Israeli electric car enterprise. Ghosn is expected to announce that his company will invest in the enterprise, which is led by the Israeli entrepreneur Shai Agassi, and set up a major development center in Israel. Agassi's endeavor seeks to establish an infrastructure to cater for hundreds of thousands of environment-friendly electric cars, which will gradually replace petrol- and diesel-fueled cars, whose environmental effect is devastating. Advertisement The cars themselves would be free of greenhouse gas emissions, but the electricity generation process would still be powered by fossil fuels. Nonetheless, the electric car would contribute to the reduction of noise and pollution in town centers. The business model is like that of a cellular network. What cellular service providers do is seed the territory in which they work with transponders (antennas). Agassi plans to scatter charging stations throughout the countries that choose to join the ambitious project. Moreover, it would work together with local entrepreneurs in each area, and would also cooperate with car manufacturers, battery makers and private entrepreneurs. Renault Nissan is the fourth biggest car manufacturer worldwide, and the first to set up a development center in Israel, by means of a multi-million dollar investment. The center would house the full development process of the electric car, but the assembly is expected to be carried out elsewhere. During his visit, Ghosn will meet President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Finance Minister Roni Bar-On and Israeli business leaders. Meanwhile, the government is scheduled to vote on Sunday on a green taxation scheme which was proposed by the finance minister. According to the proposal, a 10 percent purchase tax will be imposed on low-emission vehicles, such as the electric car, and 78 percent on polluting vehicles. Related articles: Driver's seat / Who needs an electric car anyway? Eco-friendly hybrid cars gaining popularity among Israel's drivers Government call for bike lanes raises cyclists' hopes Bookmark to del.icio.us   Dear Mr. Olmert An American yeshiva student asks Olmert to heed secular Israelis on J'lem's fate. Work stoppage Olmert totally freezes new building in all West Bank settlements.   1.   if the same kind of investment put into regular cars was put into 20:02  |  zionist forever 11/01/08   2.   Bravo to Israel 20:09  |  IA 11/01/08   3.   Bravo to you #1, to be able to admire this country 20:54  |  Esteban 11/01/08   4.   What would Arabs do if oil was not needed?? 21:03  |  TOMY 11/01/08   5.   RENAULT & NISSAN TOGETHER 21:35  |  Robert 11/01/08   6.   To #4 Tomy: Arabs can make CEOs like Carlos Ghosn 21:41  |  Aounist 11/01/08   7.   Can`t wait for the Tata Nano 22:07  |  Mark B. 11/01/08   8.   I saw a hybrid car with a great license plate 22:25  |  Petra 11/01/08   9.   # 6 Arab cars are camels 22:27  |  Petra 11/01/08   10.   A car that gets 300 MPG will be on sale next year in the US 22:29  |  Petra 11/01/08   11.   @8/10 Petra 23:15  |  Mark B. 11/01/08   12.   Not Without Nuclear Power 01:42  |  Efox 12/01/08   13.   re#6 Carlos was born and EDUCATED in Brazil !!!!!!!!!!! 03:07  |  Alberto Cohen 12/01/08   14.   #2 ia and to alll readers israel what a country! 09:10  |  danny 12/01/08   15.   To #13, Ghosn`s parents are lebanes and he speaks arabic fluently 17:35  |  Aounist 12/01/08   16.   elecric cars are the future 07:38  |  Sam 14/01/08   17.   #15 so what 22:05  |  A Israeli 24/01/08

Today Online High Court of Justice to hold urgent hearing on Gaza blockade Responses: 335 Gaza source: Hamas planned border wall blast for months Responses: 163 Canada to skip UN racism meet due to 'anti-Semitism' Responses: 178 Yossi Beilin: Here's to Prime Minister Livni, Foreign Min. Olmert Responses: 24 Rami Livni: Bi-national state would only perpetuate suffering Responses: 45 Rosner's Domain McCain's letter on Gaza: Israel has the right to defend itself (WTR) Who's better for Israel, Clinton or McCain? New poll: How important is Israel in the 2008 election? Domain's Guest: "all Jews are responsible for one another" Actor Jon Voight: Every Jew must vote for Giuliani (WTR) More Headlines 22:15 Dichter tells police to ratchet up security on Israel-Egypt border 22:45 Olmert, Abbas set to meet in Jerusalem, discuss Gaza crisis Sunday 18:51 PM completely freezes new construction in W. Bank settlements 20:32 Livni: Sanctions can bring an end to Iranian nuclear program 19:35 Yad Vashem launches Arabic Web site to combat Holocaust denial 22:32 Israeli mission in N.Y. displays 4,200 balloons for each Qassam 20:50 Olmert: I didn't tell Vice Premier Ramon to praise my decisions 16:46 Arab League chief: Israeli policy is destroying peace process 18:28 Gaza overlooked by U.S. voters; economy dominates race 15:41 Egypt rejects idea of Israel waiving responsibility for Gaza Previous Editions Select Day 23 jan 22 jan 21 jan 20 jan 18 jan 17 jan 16 jan 15 jan 14 jan 13 jan 11 jan 10 jan

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