Electric CODA Sedan to Be Sold in Hawaii

After the Nissan Leaf found a pretty friendly market for it in Hawaii, another manufacturer is trying to tap into the appeal local resident seem to have for electric vehicles. CODA, the small EV manufacturer based in the US, is planning to bring its Sedan EV into the local market next year.

It's entrance in Hawaii will be eased by the fact that the state's government approved last month an incentive package meant to support the implementation of EVs. The state plans that by 2030, clean energy to account for 70 percent of the islands' needs.

CODA Sedan is, as some of you know, a five-passenger EV powered by an all-electric drive system. The system includes a 33.8 kWh Lithium-ion battery pack which gives the car a range of 120 miles (193 km).

"CODA Automotive's all-electric vehicle is another important addition to Hawai'i's efforts to transition to a clean energy economy," said Governor Linda Lingle.

"The State of Hawai'i recognizes new electric vehicle technology and the electrification of the transportation sector will play a critical role in helping Hawai'i reduce its dependency on the use of fossil fuels and achieving our 70 percent clean energy goal by 2030."

The CODA sedan will have a very tough life in Hawaii if it doesn't come with a price tag which will make it a formidable adversary for the Leaf. So far, CODA only said in will be “affordable,” but didn't mention what the price sticker will say.

For comparison, the Leaf comes with the Nissan pedigree and offers an unbeatable price on today's market: $20,780, including the $7,500 federal tax credit and the 4,500 state tax credit.