Tokyo starts electric Taxis for the first time

A U.S.-based electric car start-up launched the first taxis based on its swappable battery technology in the Japanese capital Monday, in a test of its vision of an auto industry that no longer relies on gasoline-powered vehicles.Better Place Inc., a Palo Alto, Calif., company founded by former SAP AG executive Shai Agassi, unveiled three taxis and a $1 million station that will provide the cars with fresh batteries. The taxis will cruise Tokyo's streets for three months to test their safety and reliability, and officials said they will then decide whether to continue or expand the program.