Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle announced on Tuesday that the state has approved creation of battery exchange stations across the state in a partnership with Better Place, founded by Shai Agassi. The Governor stated that this measure represents Hawaii’s first step to clean energy and it is going to encourage new technology, as well as opening a new market.

Mainly because of the state’s geographical attributes, this project is an attempt to minimize foreign oil costs which now rise to about $7 billion a year. More than that, Hawaii also initiated a Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI), whose goal is to achieve a renewable energy percentage of 70% by year 2030.

Better Place is a project which provides battery exchange stations, similar to gas stations we see today, in an effort to lower the pollution caused by fossil energy. Its CEO, Shai Agassi managed to obtain agreements from several countries and the Renault-Nissan Group. Having Hawaii Electric Company as the direct associate in the project and analyzing people’s driving routines in the islands, he stated that: “We always knew Hawaii would be the perfect model.”

The Hawaiian Electric company will provide electricity to power the stations during off-peak times, while car maker group Renault-Nissan agreed to provide battery-exchangeable models: first to arrive are the Renault Megane and the Better Place Rogue, an electric version of Nissan’s Rogue SUV.

Better Place’s CEO announced that the project will start in 2009, when he will be given permits to build the station and, by 2012, the project will be open for the mass-market.