Sweden is seeing two unusual initiatives: a plan to let individuals offer charging services for electric-car drivers (modeled on Airbnb) and a plan to let school graduates take student loans to pay for driving school.
The 'Elbnb' plan is a commercial venture, backed by carmaker Renault, which says that sales of plug-in electrics are lagging because there aren't enough charging points in Sweden. Home-owners post their locations on the site, and drivers pick a convenient point and agree with the owner on a price.
In only its first three weeks, it was able to boost the number of charging stations in the country by 4 percent. And, says its manager, it's encouraging more social interaction...even coffee and cake with a charge. For more, from TheLocal.se, click HERE
The other initiative, proposed by the government, addresses the number of young Swedes who can't get jobs that require driving or a highway commute because they don't have licenses. The low percentage of licensed drivers is due in part to the $1800 average cost of driving lessons. The cost varies with the area...and how well you do in lessons. Cheaper away from the cities and if you learn quickly. Loans up to $3000 from the student loan agency CSN would be possible.
Left Party leader Jonas Sjöstedt told local media "For many people this is a lot of money; many can't afford to get a licence. So we think that this will help get young people onto the labor market." For more, from TheLocal.se, click HERE
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