The "hits" just keep on coming for the electric vehicle market, but unfortunately not in a good way. Yesterday, Azure Dynamics, a Canadian company that converts large vans to plug-in hybrids and the Ford Transit Connect to full battery electric drive, filed for bankruptcy protection. At the same time, A123 Systems announced a recall of several hundred battery packs, most of which are in Fisker Karmas.
Today we learn that Coda Automotive is abandoning plans for a battery factory in Columbus, OH. I spoke with Coda in 2009 about its electric car plans http://greenfuelsforecast.com/ArticleDetails.php?articleID=715
Like Bright Automotive, Coda's plans got derailed by the lack of approvals for its application for a loan from the DoE's advanced technology vehicle manufacturing program. For the time being, Coda will continue to get batteries from its supplier in China.
#electricvehicles #ev #codaautomotive
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Coda ditches plan to build car-battery factory in Columbus
Coda Automotive is abandoning plans to build a battery factory in Columbus, a decision that will mean the region will not be in line for more than 1,000 manufacturing jobs that would have been created…
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I drove the Coda some 6+ weeks ago. Not impressed. No cruise control, among other things. Felt like a 1980s car from the wrong part of the world. Much better: First ride in the Ford Focus Electric yesterday.
Unfortunately the Coda is both expensive and yet unsophisticated at the same time. Sourcing a chassis from a low-end Chinese manufacturer that is actually based on an early 90s Mitsubishi is not a great way to start.
I currently drive a Prius but it's hard to think about replacing it with the high $ premium on the hybrids. They don't save that much money to offset these premiums, and some of the newer cars get much better mileage. By using more public transportation, the benefit really suffers on the economic front- something both the government and the car manufacturers need to get on board with.
Scott: If it's strictly about cost, you are probably right. But then you could never justify buying ANY premium car costing more than a basic $24,000 Prius. There are tons of cars costing more than $24,000, and they're sold every day. I would argue that some people are willing to pay for a premium driving experience. People buy a Rolls Royce because it's supremely quiet, vibration-free and smooth. I bought an electric car for the same reason.