All Things Electric - Vol 2, November 2009 November 20, 2009

The French government is making moves to bring its nation to the fore of eco-conscious countries through the creation of a €2.2 billion battery-charging network. France's future is banking on batteries. The program is aimed at inciting citizens to use electric cars instead of gas-powered automobiles, which will help keep the air clean and minimalize pollutive emission. Starting in 2012, every residential area that includes parking lots will be required to offer an electrical charging station. Charging sockets will be mandatory in office parking lots by the year 2015. €900 million of the total amount required to finance the project will come from a state loan that takes effect in 2010. According to fleet operators' calculations, at least 50,000 electrical cars will need to be purchased by 2015, though with the help of the French government the fleet could total twice that number by the same date, Environment Minister Jean-Louis Borloo told press. A €625 million battery manufacturing plant will be erected at a Renault SA establishment in west Paris, capable of producing 100,000 batteries per year. With France blazing the trail, it is expected that other nations will soon follow suit. [Via Wall Street Journal]