Fisker Automotive Raises Additional $115.3 Million

The Los Angeles Times reports that independent car maker Fisker Automotive Inc., which is committed to developing plug-in hybrid cars, has raised an additional $115.3 million in private equity funding. The money from three firms allows Fisker to gain access to almost $530 million in federal loans designated by the U.S. government in 2007 for companies developing alternative energy fuel technologies.

Fisker is the brainchild of Danish designer Henrik Fisker, and funds will help the company in its development of the Karma – its first plug-in hybrid. The Karma will be produced in a limited run of 15,000 per year and retail for roughly $90,000.

The Karma is the first step toward the next round of plug-in vehicles from Fisker. A lower-cost version called Project Nina is currently under development, and is slated to deliver a plug-in car that will cost $47,400.