New Lithium Ion Battery Facility to Bring Hundreds of Jobs to Connecticut

Thursday

Jun112009

June 11, 2009

First Global Hawk Block 20 flight with a Yardney lithium ion battery used for both emergency power in a loss of power event, as well as main power for specific on board systems. The photo is courtesy of Yardney Technical Products, Inc.

PAWCATUCK, Conn.-Joining together to expand their presence in the United States electric auto industry, Coda Automotive and Yardney Technical Products, Inc. have entered into a joint venture to form Coda Battery Systems LLC, which will design, manufacture, and sell automotive-grade lithium ion battery power systems.

The manufacturing facility will be in Enfield, Conn., with funding coming in part from a stimulus grant through the U.S. Department of Energy. The Coda Battery facility expects to employee about 600 U.S. workers in manufacturing positions.

“This Connecticut factory and the hundreds of new manufacturing jobs it will create are only the beginning of our long term plans,” said Kevin Czinger, president and chief executive officer of newly formed Coda Automotive, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based manufacturer and distributor of all-electric, highway capable vehicles.

Coda Automotive, itself, was launched this month, and its first vehicle, the Coda sedan, is expected to be delivered to the marketplace in the Fall of 2010, according to the company.

Coda Battery expects to begin supplying the power battery system for the Coda sedan as soon as the new Connecticut facility can be brought online, according to company information, which also indicates that Tianjin Lishen Battery Co., a China-based supplier of lithium ion batteries, may participate in the U.S. manufacturing joint venture.

Vince Yevoli, president of Yardney, expressed his expectations for the venture, saying, “This electric vehicle venture is a major strategic step for Yardney. We have been working on battery technology research specifically for hybrid and electric vehicle applications for years.

“This is the culmination of all that we have worked towards. We look forward to many successful years of close partnership with Coda.”

Yardney is a Pawcatuck, Conn.-based battery developer and provider with clients including the U.S. Armed Forces and divisions of the U.S. space program.