Immigration Law

IMMIGRANT OF THE DAY: SHAI AGASSI - ENTREPRENUER

By Greg Siskind

People who knew me in law school might be surprised that I turned out to be an immigration lawyer. Because for a while there I was convinced I wanted to practice environmental law. I was heavily involved in environmental activism while in law school and helped to found an environmental law society at the University of Chicago Law School. But, alas, while environmental law in law school was interesting and the policy issues were exciting, when I actually practiced in the field briefly at the beginning of my career, I found it - well - a little dry. Fortunately, my first immigration case came in right around the same time and that was far more interesting to me.

But I've remained concerned about the environment over the years and was an enthusiastic purchaser of a hybrid car a few years ago when they became available in my area. And I've followed the developments in the auto industry and related public policy when it comes to promoting alternative vehicles and fuel efficiency. With oil costing more than $100 per barrel, reducing dependence is also critical to our economy (not to mention the security implications)

So I was quite happy to read this morning's New York Times and see that Israel is planning on becoming the first country in the world to test becoming an electric car nation. The government of that country announced a venture between Renault, Nissan and Project Better Place, a venture owned by Shai Agassi, an American-Israeli entrepreneur, to subsidize the sale of electric cars and provide readily available charging stations throughout the country.

Renault and Nissan will supply the cars. Israel will provide tax incentives to purchasers of the cars and begin construction of facilities to recharge the cars and replace empty batteries quickly. Mr. Agassi's company will supply the batteries which will be able to go 124 miles per charge.

Mr. Agassi hopes to have 100,000 electric cars on the road in Israel within two years. He believes that concentrating on infrastructure to support the cars is more important than concentrating on car production. If the Israel test project is successful, the venturers hope to duplicate the model in small countries like Denmark and in major cities like London, Paris, New York and Singapore.

Congratulations and good luck, Mr. Agassi.

Full post as published by Greg Siskind's Blog on January 21, 2008 (boomark / email).