Breathe California names CODA Automotive as winner of Clean Air Award

CODA Automotive, a California-based electric car and battery company, was named a Clean Air Award winner in the technology development category by Breathe California. The award, presented today in San Francisco, highlights standout efforts to combat climate change and air pollution in the business, government, education and non-profit sectors. Breathe California, a non-profit organization, has worked to reduce the impact of lung disease through prevention, education, advocacy and patient services, since 1904.

"In addition to negatively impacting our security, environment and the economy, dependence on fossil fuels is harmful to our health and our future," said Kevin Czinger, President and CEO, CODA Automotive. "CODA is committed to addressing this fundamental problem by catalyzing a movement to accelerate the adoption of electric cars."

Breathe California's panel of judges evaluated nominated companies in a series of categories ranging from success in reducing greenhouse gases to improving air quality.  The Honorary Committee for the Clean Air Awards includes San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, California State Senator Mark Leno, President of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Ken Yeager and Nadine Weil, Founder of Heart of Green.

"Increased temperatures caused by global warming will exacerbate air pollution, increasing the rates of asthma, respiratory and other lung related ailments," said Linda Civitello, President and CEO of Breathe California, Golden Gate Public Health Partnership. "The unprecedented effort by CODA Automotive to usher-in a new era of clean, sustainable driving is indicative of the vital role the private sector must play in combating climate change."

CODA Automotive anticipates that it will deliver more than 14,000 vehicles to customers in California by the end of 2011. CODA's four-door, four-passenger, fully-equipped mid-size sedan is powered by a 333V lithium-ion battery and provides a real-world range of 90 to 120 miles. CODA has established supply agreements for the vehicles' key electric drive components with a number of U.S. partners including UQM Technologies, BorgWarner, Nexteer Automotive, Delphi and others. Through its own business and those of its suppliers, CODA is preserving and creating thousands jobs in California, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina and Florida.