We think it's important for you to know what incentives you could potentially benefit from by buying a CODA car. This list may not include all incentives and they could change without our knowledge. Please check the California Department of Energy website for the most up-to-date information on electric vehicle incentives.
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/progs/ind_state_laws.php/CA/ELEC
The CODA is eligible for a $7,500 Federal tax credit.
http://www.electricdrive.org/index.php?ht=d/sp/i/11032/pid/11032
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption: Qualified compressed natural gas, hydrogen, and electric vehicles meeting specified California and federal emissions standards may use HOV lanes regardless of the number of occupants in the vehicle. Qualified hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) are also exempt from HOV lane restrictions. Vehicles must be affixed with a Clean Air Vehicle sticker issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which expire January 1, 2011. A limited number of Clean Air Vehicle stickers are available. Drivers of qualified HEVs registered to an address in the nine-county San Francisco Bay region must also obtain a Bay Area FasTrak account before using HOV lanes. For more information about qualified vehicles, see the California Air Resources Board Carpool Lane Use Stickers Web site. (Reference Assembly Bill 1209, 2008, and California Vehicle Code 5205.5 and 21655.9
Insurance Alternative Fuel and Hybrid Electric Vehicle Incentives: Some insurers provide an insurance discount for hybrid electric vehicle and alternative fuel vehicle owners. Check with your insurer to learn about specific discounts.
Utility/Electricity Rate Reductions - Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Rate Reduction (SMUD): The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) offers a discounted rate of approximately 50% as compared to the regular residential rate for electricity used by residential customers to charge an EV. EV drivers must sign up for the appropriate residential time-of-use rate. SMUD also offers lower off-peak time-of-use rates for EV charging by commercial customers.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Rate Reduction (LADWP): The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) offers a discounted rate of $0.025/kWh for electricity used to charge EVs during off-peak times. LADWP also provides guidance on EV infrastructure to help customers determine applications for EVs in their fleet operations, EV maintenance services, and training.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Rate Reduction (SCE): Southern California Edison (SCE) offers a discounted rate to customers for electricity used to charge EVs. Two rate schedules are available for EV charging during on- and off-peak hours.
Low-Emission Vehicle Electricity Rate Reduction (PG&E): Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) offers a discounted rate for electricity used to charge battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or natural gas vehicle home fueling appliances.
Hermosa Beach (Parking): Downtown Hermosa Beach offers free metered parking at silver-poled meters for vehicles with the Clean Air Decal. Vehicles may park for the maximum time limit designated on the meter. This includes hybrids as long as the state of California recognizes the High Occupancy Vehicle sticker.
Los Angeles (Parking): The Los Angeles Airport (LAX) offers free parking and recharging for EVs in the lower level of Parking Structures 1 and 6.
Sacramento (Parking): Sacramento offers free parking to individuals or small businesses certified by the city's Office of Small Business Development that own or lease EVs with an EV parking pass in downtown parking lots C, G, H, I, K, P, and R. Free vehicle charging stations are located in lots C,G, H, and I.
San Joaquin Valley (Rebate): The REMOVE II program provides incentives for the purchase of low-emission passenger vehicles, light trucks, small buses, and trucks weighing less than 14,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. The program pays between $1,000 and $3,000 per vehicle depending on the emission certification level and size of the vehicle. Vehicles must be powered by alternative fuel, electric or hybrid electric engines/motors.
San Jose: The City of San Jose has developed a Clean Air Vehicle Parking Program to reduce vehicle emissions, stimulate activity in the downtown, and increase sales of clean air vehicles at San Jose auto dealerships. For eligible vehicles, the program allows free parking at participating municipal off-street parking facilities, on-street meters and regional park and recreation parking lots. Vehicles must display the Clean Air Vehicle Parking Permit, which is available for a $30 application fee. Only eligible vehicles purchased in San Jose after
January 1, 2000, can obtain a permit. Zero Emission Vehicles purchased outside San Jose are also eligible to apply as long as the vehicle is registered in San Jose.
Santa Monica (Parking): If your vehicle has the decal affixed to your alternative fuel, hybrid or electric vehicle, the Santa Monica Municipal Code (3.16.120) allows you to park in any metered parking space in the city without charge for the maximum amount of time allowed by that meter. In other words, if you're at a 2-hour meter, you can park there free for 2 hours-but beyond that, you're subject to ticketing for overstaying your welcome. Clean Air Vehicle decals are issued by the state.
Vacaville (Leasing): The City of Vacaville sponsors an EV lease buy-down program, which provides financial incentives to qualifying participants to reduce the cost of EV leasing. The buy-down program provides up to $6,000 in incentives to any qualifying participant who leases or purchases a new freeway capable EV from an Original Equipment Manufacturer.
Where will your dealerships be?
Innovation is central to our entire business model and that includes sales and service. We're working to transform the traditional car sales and service model to be truly customer centric with an ecologically friendly retail footprint. To do this, we plan to have two flagship CODA retail and education centers in California: in Santa Monica and San Francisco. These locations will be places where people can go to learn about EV technology and infrastructure as well as test drive a CODA. They will not be your typical dealership with salesmen trying to "sell" you. Rather, they will be a place to learn and discover if the CODA electric car is right for you. CODA will have similar "satellite" locations where you can go to test drive a CODA if you cannot get to one of the flagship locations.
Is CODA a Chinese car?
No. CODA Automotive is headquartered in Santa Monica, California. We engineered the car and teamed with American partners to develop an American designed electric drivetrain as well as battery system electronics, which are the core foundation of the CODA car. The motor and controller, transaxle, on-board charger, DC/DC converter, battery management electronics, and fast charging electronics are made by California and Michigan-based companies. U.S. designed and manufactured components make up about 35% of every CODA car. In order to bring electric drive technology to consumers more quickly and affordably, we partnered with highly proficient and advanced companies from around the world, from China to Europe, to build a safe, all-electric car. CODA Automotive maintained control of our brand, design, and critical intellectual property throughout the development process. The CODA is a car with global heritage that was designed in America.
Who is Lishen and why did you choose them as a JV partner?
Lishen is China's leading producer of rechargeable lithium-ion cells and currently supplies cells to Motorola, Samsung, Apple and many other electronics manufacturers. Working with Lishen as our joint venture partner will allow us to address the issue of long-term battery supply. The JV will also enable us to rapidly industrialize CODA's battery system for commercial volume production and to scale the business.
When and where can I test drive one?
The car will be available for test rides at events in select markets beginning in the fourth quarter of 2009. We will be kicking off a "Ride and Drive" tour in the Fall 2010 in California. Be sure to join our mailing list to find out dates and locations of future test drive events. Also, follow us on Twitter @CODAautomotive for the latest news and event information.
Won't the grid crash if millions of plug-ins charge at once?
This is unlikely considering that most people will be charging at night when the grid is being utilized the least. However, there is some concern that large clusters of electric vehicles in certain areas could overtax local grids if those vehicles were all plugged in at the same time during peak energy usage times of the day. Utilities throughout California are actively working to find solutions to ensure the grid will not be overtaxed if this situation arose as electric vehicles become more prevalent in the next few years.
How safe is the CODA?
The CODA will fully conform to meet or exceed all U.S. NHTSA standards. We are engineering for a five-star NCAP rating. The CODA is equipped with both active and passive safety systems, including six airbags, an occupant detection system, Anti-lock Brakes, Electronic Stability Control and an emergency call center that will be notified if you've been in a crash, and notify emergency response services.
What is the price of the CODA?
The CODA will be comparably priced with other mid-size sedans in its class. And unlike some other electric cars we won't name names – the CODA battery IS included! Official pricing announcements will be made in early 2010. When you sign up as a CODA insider, you will be the first to know pricing when it's announced.
What are the core features of the car?
The CODA is an all electric, zero emissions, four-door car that seats 4 passengers. It will achieve up to 80 mph with an average range of 100 miles per charge and comes fully equipped for comfort, convenience and safety. Factory-standard equipment includes navigation with turn-by-turn directions, GreenScreenTM that monitors driving efficiency, roadside assistance with an emergency button, a Bluetooth® system with an embedded microphone, satellite-ready AM/FM/XM radio, MP3/USB connectivity, iPod dock, security system, aluminum wheels, and power windows, doors and mirrors. Safety equipment includes Anti-lock Brakes with Electronic Stability Control and advanced airbags with an occupant detection system. The vehicle is backed by a three-year/36,000 mile warranty and the battery is guaranteed for eight-years/100,000 miles.
Can I be put on a waiting list and are you taking deposits?
A priority waiting list became available on our website in June 2009. Pre-sales will begin in late Summer 2010. We will notify members of our priority list first when our online pre-sales program launches.
When will the CODA be available for purchase?
Pre-sales willbegin via our website in late Summer 2010. We anticipate the first models being delivered in the California market in late 2010. Join our priority waiting list to be one of the first to reserve a CODA sedan.
Don't charging stations need to be built before people will adopt EVs?
No. While charging stations will make it more convenient for people to charge on the go, this infrastructure does not need to be built out before people can buy and use electric cars. People with garages or another place to plug in can simply charge at home overnight like you would charge your cell phone. CODA will be using the Sears/Kenmore electrician network to audit your home and ensure that you have the appropriate 220V charging infrastructure in your garage before your CODA is delivered. If you live an apartment and don't have access to a charging station close to home or work, you might not be an immediate candidate for an electric car.
Where is the CODA sedan manufactured?
Actually, about 35% of the components used in the CODA are manufactured in the U.S. Final assembly is done abroad because it wasn't economically feasible to build or use an existing U.S. facility at our current volume rate. Currently, there is no battery manufacturing capacity in the U.S. Over time, CODA Automotive hopes to bring vehicle and battery manufacturing facilities to the U.S. But, as an entrepreneurial company, we have to live with the possible and create a path to where we want to go. We are creating jobs in both the U.S. and China today and making an electric vehicle movement and cleaner future possible.
What type of batteries will it have, and are they warranted?
The CODA is powered by a 333V Lithium-Ion (Iron Phosphate) battery with 134hp. The batteries will be warranted for eight years/100,000 miles.
Who is Lio Energy Systems?
Lio Energy Systems, a joint venture between CODA and Lishen Power Battery, was formed in 2007. Leveraging Lishen's microelectronics lithium-ion cell design and manufacturing capabilities, and CODA's automotive-grade battery engineering proficiency, the partnership has created a safe, durable and affordable battery system built for automotive and utility applications. The company's one-million square foot facility in Tianjin has the capacity to produce more than 20,000 battery packs per year. CODA is in final discussions with several states to replicate this facility in the U.S., a move which could create more than 1,000 skilled manufacturing jobs.
Does it have a regenerative braking system?
Yes. The CODA utilizes a regenerative braking system to recoup energy. Instead of wasting kinetic energy every time you brake, the system feeds that energy back into the battery, thus storing it for future use.
What purchasing incentives are there for buying a CODA?
CODA owners are eligible to receive a $7,500 Federal tax credit, and other state and local incentives may apply.
Why are the prices of electric cars so high?
It is expensive to bring any new technology to market. While our battery price per kilowatt hour is significantly lower than the competition's, industry-wide the cost will only drop as demand and battery production scales up.
Where can you charge it and how much does it cost to charge?
The CODA can be recharged at any standard outlet, but we recommend charging from a 220V outlet for the quickest home charging. Based on the average nighttime cost of electricity in the U.S., the cost to fully charge at night is under $3 (~$0.07/kWh).
What is the range and how long does it take to recharge?
The average range of the car is 90-120 miles* on a single charge, sufficient to satisfy 94% of daily driving routines. The battery system will take 6 hours for a complete charge from a 220V outlet. Charging for a 40-mile commute can take as little as 2 hours. The CODA is also being engineered to take advantage of fast charging stations, which will be publically available down the road. Fast charging stations reduce charging times from hours to minutes.