Electric Cars to Pick Up Speed with New Tie-up
As major auto companies around the world are focusing on electric vehicles (EVs), here comes a tie-up of a different kind to offer electric cars to consumers.
CODA Automotive, a California-based electric car and battery company, and The Hertz Corporation, the world’s leading general use airport car rental brand, entered into a partnership making 100% all-electric CODA sedans available at select Southern California Hertz locations.
Among the other developments in the EV segment, the 2011 Chevrolet Volt has been named Green Car Journal’s 2011 Green Car of the Year.
The Volt is the first-ever electric vehicle to take top prize, it is said. This award welcomes a new genre of mass-production electric vehicles. (Read: Chevrolet Volt Named 2011 Green Car of the Year)
[ Also Read: Five Finalists for Green Car of the Year Award ]As the action is getting hot in the EV market, major auto companies around the world are introducing their new models.
Toyota’s comprehensive technology strategy, for example, is a portfolio approach that includes a long-term commitment to hydrogen fuel cells, plug-in hybrids and battery electrics all driven by the further proliferation of conventional gas-electric hybrids, like Prius, as its core technology.
Toyota has announced that coinciding with the arrival of the RAV4 EV in 2012, it will launch, in key global markets, the Prius PHV (plug-in hybrid) and a small EV (Electric Vehicle) commuter vehicle. (Read: Toyota Plans to Produce New Electric Vehicles)
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation also decided to host the world premiere of the North American version of its i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show. (Read: Mitsubishi i-MiEV at the LA Auto Show)
“The 100 percent electric CODA was designed to meet the needs of most Americans with dependable, all-season range, and fast, convenient charging,” said Mark Jamieson, CFO & COO, CODA Automotive.
“With one of the world’s largest rental car fleets, Hertz is uniquely positioned to catalyze the adoption of all-electric vehicles and infrastructure supporting electric mobility.”
[ Also Read: Dodge to Enter Market with Hot Marketing Push ]“Hertz is committed to the widespread use of electric vehicles globally and we are laying the foundation to make electric vehicle mobility a reality today,” commented Mark P. Frissora, chairman and CEO, The Hertz Corporation.
Hertz is working to leverage the company’s rental and car sharing locations as bases for electric vehicles and charging stations in the United States and abroad.
It plans to roll out its EV rental program with full-scale deployment beginning in 2011.
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In addition to reducing carbon and Green House Gas (GHG) emissions sharply, electric vehicles like CODA are cost-effective ways for commercial fleets to reduce and stabilize fixed energy costs.
After each CODA Sedan has been driven 100,000 miles or more, consumers will experience an average CO2 savings of 21.8 tons relative to a 25 MPG internal combustion engine vehicle.
Based on an average of $.11 per kWh of electricity, the CODA costs approximately $3.50 to charge from depletion – enough for up to a 120 mile drive, says the company.
The tie-up announcement was made today, Nov. 22.
