Behold the Coda Electric Car, described in PR materials as a practical revolution. Now, the Tesla has proven that a really freakin’ expensive electric car, with a butt-load of laptop batteries, can drain the bank acounts of the tree hugger elite faster than a trip to Whole Foods eats up a charge. But, while the electric car offsets its pollution to a stationary emission source – conceivably more controllable – what about other considerations caused by using a less efficient energy storage medium?
Typically, when a new hybrid or electric car is introduced, a comparison against a similarly spec’d gas or diesel car demonstrating that the “cost to fill” while lower with the electric, doesn’t begin to cover the higher acquisition cost and costs involved in using a vehicle for which there currently lacks a viable infrastructure. And that brings us to this latest entry in the electric car competition- the Coda.
Based on a car manufactured by HaFei Automobile Industry Group Co. Ltd in China, the initial offering is a Civic-sized 5-seater. Providing motivation is a UQM PowerPhase® 100 electric drive system, claimed to be hundreds of pounds lighter than a standard ICE, and capable of keeping the Coda out of its own way. That’s all well and good until you see the specifications for charge time and mileage capacity- always the deal killers for electric cars-
Energized by a 33.8 kWh lithium-ion battery built by the Coda joint venture, the Coda’s real-world driving range of 90 to 120 miles will satisfy 94% of typical daily driving routines. Its on-board charger conveniently plugs into standard 110 or 220 volt outlets, with a 220 volt charge delivering enough energy for a 40 mile drive in about two hours or a full charge in less than six hours. Of course, driving a Coda on electricity is much more affordable than driving a gasoline car. In fact, it’s estimated that on average, driving a Coda 100 miles will cost less than $3, compared to $17 in a gasoline sedan that averages 20 mpg.
Ninety to one hundred and twenty range seems sufficient for around town, but would require much greater trip planning as unexpected detours couldn’t be compensated by a quick fill-up at the local Gulp and Gas. And worse, a 2-hour charge is only good for 40 miles. That means that your 1-hour long, 40 mile trip will now take 3-hours, lowering your net speed to about 13-mph. While the difference in cost per fill-up is compelling, what is your time worth? I mean, sure, Ed Begley can sit at home twiddling his thumbs while waiting for his car to charge – when was the last time that guy worked? But most people have places to go, kids to pick up, jobs to arrive on time to, and their time is pretty precious. Also, do you have a 220 outlet in your garage or driveway that doesn’t already have an electric range or clothes dryer attached to it? How much would that cost to have installed?
The last item that always makes the less well to do environmentalists faces sour is the cost to acquire. In the case of the Coda, that cost is expected to start at $45,000. That’s right, forty five grand for a Chinese-built B-class with the Energizer Bunny banging away in the trunk. Considering that you can buy a Civic or Versa for around $15,000, and each of those get in the 30s on the highway, it seems like gas prices would have to be in the Chanel No. 5 range before you’d see any kind of equity with the overall cost of of ownership of the Coda.
Now, the company posits that buyers will be eligible for thousands in tax credits, and that, over five years the car will cost $10,000 less in maintenance over a gas-powered competitor. That may assume to include fuel cost, as I can’t imagine spending $2,000 a year on a Civic for regular service.
So, electric or no, what do you think? Does this Coda look like a viable contender to be your your daily driver, or is it just a status symbol for wealthy environmentalists? Do you think that a 90 – 120 mile range is enough for a car, or do you do more than that just to bring home the bacon (mmmm, bacon)?
Let us know!
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