New U.S. Automaker Charging Up to Introduce Its First Affordable All-Electric Sedan
June 12, 2009 Kyriaki (Sandy) Venetis 
Powered by a 333 volt lithium ion battery, the sedan can travel a maximum range of 90 to 120 miles on a single charge, depending on individual driving habits. Photo courtesy of Coda Automotive.SANTA MONICA, Calif.-Coda Automotive, a newly launched manufacturer and distributor of all-electric, highway capable vehicles, has announced that it will be introducing an affordable, full-performance sedan to the mainstream California market in 2010.
The company claims that powered by a 333 volt lithium ion battery, the sedan can travel a maximum range of 90 to 120 miles on a single charge, depending on individual driving habits. Coda believes the sedan can travel far enough between charges to “satisfy 94 percent of daily driving routines.”
With its current specifications, the onboard charger plugs into any 110 or 220 volt standard outlet and completes a full charge in less than six hours on a 220 volt charging.
The lithium ion batteries for the sedans are currently being solely manufactured by China-based Tianjin Lishen Battery Joint-Stock Co. Ltd.. through an existing long-term sourcing contract with Coda Automotive.
In addition, Coda Automotive announced this week that it is also coming together with Yardney Technical Products, Inc., a Pawcatuck, Conn.-based battery developer, in a joint venture to form Coda Battery Systems LLC, which will design, manufacture, and sell automotive-grade lithium ion battery power systems.
This new battery manufacturing facility will be based in Enfield, Conn., and Tianjin Battery is expected to participate in the U.S. joint venture.
The frame of the vehicle will be a four-door, five-passenger, mid-sized sedan, which the company expects to sell for $45,000. The price of the sedan will probably be much lower with the current federal tax credits being made available for electric and hybrid vehicles by the Obama administration.
In March, President Barack Obama pledged that Americans who decide to purchase plug-in hybrid vehicles can claim a tax credit of up to $7,500. This announcement was made at the Edison Electric Vehicle Technical Center, Pomona, Calif.
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