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Another Electric-Car Startup Bites the Dust

Better Place has declared bankruptcy. Here's why so many electric-car startups have failed -- and why Tesla Motors managed to break the trend and succeed

By John Rosevear – May 30, 2013 at 5:30PM EST

Electric-car start-up Better Place declared bankruptcy this week, joining a pile of broken EV dream companies that includes Fisker Automotive, among many others.

Better Place's plan was to build out the electric-car infrastructure with a network of battery-swapping stations. It had big money and big-name partners, including French auto giant Renault, but it never quite got off the ground.

In this video, Fool contributor John Rosevear looks at why Better Place and other EV pioneers have failed -- and at why Tesla Motors (TSLA 1.85%) has been the one shining exception to the trend.

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About the Author

John Rosevear
John Rosevear is a senior contributing Motley Fool auto analyst covering automakers and trends shaping the global auto industry. John’s tenure with the company spans 15 years covering auto stocks, mutual funds, and retirement investing. He is a former CNBC reporter who covered the future of autos, including electric vehicles and self-driving cars. Prior to The Motley Fool, he worked at Fidelity Investments in communications and investor education roles. He holds a bachelor’s degree in government from Cornell University. He once spent an entire day sitting on the floor of Peter Lynch’s office – with Lynch present.
TMFMarlowe

Stocks Mentioned

Tesla Stock Quote
Tesla
NASDAQ: TSLA
$346.28
(-1.85%)-$6.54

*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.

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