Coda signs rental deals with Hertz Corp

CODA Automotive, a California-based electric car and battery company, and The Hertz Corporation, the world's largest general use airport car rental brand, entered into a partnership making 100% all-electric CODA sedans available at select Southern California Hertz locations.

Hertz's partnership with Coda Automotive is another element of our long-term strategy to provide consumers with electric vehicle access on a global scale, Hertz Chief Executive Mark Frissora said in a statement. As we continue to build out our (electric and partially electric) infrastructure, we get closer to making electric vehicle travel an everyday reality.

Hertz plans to roll out its electric vehicle rental program with full-scale deployment in the U.S. and abroad beginning in 2011.

The CODA is expected to become available in 2011. The car uses an advanced battery system that CODA said offers at least 40 per cent more usable energy than any all-electric sedan on the market in 2011. A full charge takes about six hours to complete, with enough energy for a 40-mile (64 km) commute requiring about two hours.

The CODA is a five passengers, a full-size trunk and a dependable 90-120 miles of range during any season. CODA's 33.8 kWh battery system with active thermal management will be the largest, most advanced system, with at least 40% more usable energy than any all-electric sedan on the market in 2011. A full charge requires about six hours to complete, and enough energy for a short, 40-mile commute will take on average two hours.