Coda Automotive Introduces All Electric Sedan

The auto industry certainly is facing challenging times, thanks to a global economic downturn and consumer buying reticence. Once the markets rebound, we could be looking at a completely restructured automotive manufacturing landscape.

New Market Is Emerging

A number of manufacturers are pushing forward with their plans to introduce plug-in hybrid as well as pure electric vehicles beginning in 2010, a move which will suddenly open up new buying possibilities for consumers. These cars will run on lithium-ion batteries and have a range from about forty miles to perhaps several hundred miles. Some cars will use a supplemental gas battery, but not the sedan that upstart Coda Automotive plans to bring to the market next year.

Coda Automotive is an American company who is working with a Chinese supplier to bring a five-passenger, four door all-electric sedan to the states. That car hasn’t gone on sale yet, but the first models are expected to be sold beginning in California in fall 2010.

Long Range, Quick Recharge

Coda says that the average range of its sedan will be 90-120 miles, with a full recharge taking six hours to complete. The company claims that recharging the battery for a forty mile commute could be accomplished in as little as two hours. This is especially notable given that GM is currently readying its Chevy Volt for production, a car that has a forty mile pure electric range.

The Coda sedan will be priced higher than the Volt too, retailing for about $45,000, though buyers will be eligible to receive a $7,500 federal tax credit for their purchase, with some states including further incentives.

The Coda sedan will employ a regenerative braking system which will help to provide juice for the car. The company says that it can be recharged overnight at any standard outlet, costing under $3 per charge. Compare the price of gas for a one hundred mile trip in a sedan averaging 30 mpg and gasoline alone would cost in around ten dollars.

Partnering With Lishen

Coda Automotive says that they are partnering with China’s leading producer of re-chargeable lithium-ion cells, Lishen, to power its sedan.  A US manufacturer and distributor will also be used, that company is a joint venture of Coda and Yardney Technical Products, Inc.  The vehicle manufacturer will be Hafei, a state-owned producer of automobiles and airplanes.

The Coda sedan is expected to be delivered fully equipped with all of the amenities consumers want including power windows, doors, locks, a high end audio system, important safety features including anti-lock brakes, air-conditioning and an eight year/100,000 mile warranty on the battery.

Courtesy of Coda Automotive are several pictures of the 2011 Coda model: