We should start off by saying that since your CODA has fewer moving parts than internal combustion cars, you'll experience less wear and tear all around. This means fewer trips to the mechanic and a longer life span. That said, when your CODA does need service, we will have a network of trained professionals ready to go. Intelligent on-board diagnostics help pinpoint the problem in a cinch.
CODA Automotive will perform all maintenance and service through a network of world-class, brand name after-sales partners, with a multitude of partner service centers throughout California. If you're out of range of a service center, we can arrange to take your vehicle to a service center. Our network of partner technicians will be factory trained and certified - having passed testing requirements and serving a mandatory amount of hours in a lab.
Every CODA is equipped with on-board diagnostics, which can help in detecting repair needs, like drivetrain components, battery pack and electronic components, as well as maintaining a maintenance schedule for traditional service aspects like brakes, tires, alignments, struts, lighting, etc. If your service light is on, CODA technicians just have to plug their handheld tester into the on-board diagnostics 2 connector (better known as the OBD2 connector) for it to communicate with the vehicle and diagnose the issue. We use purpose engineered, proprietary diagnostic software that allows our technicians to better understand what needs to be repaired or what system is malfunctioning.
If a warning light is on, the technician will go one step further and send a signal from the handheld device to an online repair manual. Once connected, the online repair manual can communicate with the handheld device to test different components to help locate the exact problem.
In a CODA, even if you're driving solo, you're never really alone. Your CODA will be equipped with roadside assistance and accident collision notification, meaning that if you run into trouble, help won't be far behind.
Our national call center provides roadside assistance 24/7. Using the on-board diagnostics, our operators can do a remote diagnosis of your CODA to see things like the state of charge and health in order to assist you. If need be, a technician will help address issues that are detected.
With accident collision notification, in the event of an air bag deployment the call center tries to reach you via your phone paired with your CODA's Bluetooth® system. If there's no answer, the call center will dispatch ERS (emergency roadside service) to come to your location.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.