JERUSALEM (AFP) - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Sunday his government will encourage the development of electric cars to help wean Israel off fossil fuels.
"We will encourage the research and development of electric cars and examine the possibility of giving aid to companies and industries that manufacture such vehicles," Olmert said in a statement released by his office.
He added during a weekly cabinet meeting that the government would also look at installing the necessary infrastructure to allow the cars to criss-cross the country.
In September, President Shimon Peres said Israel should become the first country in the world to develop entirely battery-operated cars, arguing that its relatively small size made the concept more realistic.
Israel relies on imported coal and oil for most of its energy needs.
JERUSALEM (AFP) - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Sunday his government will encourage the development of electric cars to help wean Israel off fossil fuels.