Canoo: The Loft on Wheels

Canoo is rethinking the automobile. Forget traditional hoods; think "loft on wheels." Based in the Heartland, they use a skateboard platform and steer-by-wire tech to maximize space. From NASA crew transports to the Lifestyle Vehicle, Canoo builds modular pods for the modern adventurer.

Canoo Hero Vehicle

Model Lineup

Explore the current production vehicles.

Lifestyle Vehicle (LV)

The 'Loft on Wheels.' The Lifestyle Vehicle is a revolutionary EV that maximizes interior space on a compact footprint. With its unique, capsule-like design and versatile, customizable interior, it's a multi-purpose vehicle for urban adventures, families, and businesses.

Production 2023-Present

Pickup Truck (MPDV)

The pickup truck, reimagined. The Canoo Pickup is a clever and futuristic workhorse with a highly modular bed, incredible maneuverability thanks to its cab-forward design, and a host of clever, practical features for the modern worker and adventurer.

Production Announced

Multi-Purpose Delivery Vehicle (MPDV)

The future of last-mile delivery. The MPDV is a purpose-built electric cargo van designed to maximize cubic space and driver ergonomics. With its low load floor and steer-by-wire technology, it's a smart, efficient solution for modern logistics.

Production 2023-Present

Canoo Skateboard

The groundbreaking heart of every Canoo. The 'skateboard' is a self-contained, fully modular EV platform that houses the battery, motors, and suspension. This incredibly versatile base allows for a wide variety of different cabins or 'top hats' to be attached.

Production Brand Technology

American Bulldog

A rugged and futuristic take on the 4x4. The American Bulldog concept showcases a more aggressive and off-road-focused evolution of the Canoo platform, hinting at a tough, no-nonsense vehicle for both commercial and adventure-oriented use.

Production Announced

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HugeGarage Editor

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Not a Car, But a Capsule

If you ask a child to draw a car of the future, they will draw a Canoo. It looks like a capsule, a jellybean, or a spaceship landing pod. It defies the traditional "three-box" design (hood, cabin, trunk) that has defined cars for a century.

Based (currently) in Texas and Oklahoma, Canoo isn't trying to build a better Tesla. They are trying to reinvent the utility vehicle. Their philosophy is simple: Eliminate everything that doesn't serve the passenger. The result is a vehicle with the footprint of a compact car but the interior space of a large SUV.

The Skateboard and Steer-by-Wire Revolution

The secret to Canoo's impossible proportions is its Skateboard Platform. All the batteries, motors, suspension, and electronics are flattened into a chassis that looks like a giant skateboard. You could technically drive the chassis without a body on it.

But the real game-changer is Steer-by-Wire.

  • No Mechanical Connection: There is no steering column connecting the steering wheel to the tires. It is all electronic signals, like a fighter jet or a video game controller.
  • The Benefit: Because there is no steering column taking up space, the driver can sit further forward, and the dashboard can be minimal. This creates the massive "street view" window at the front, allowing you to see the road right in front of your feet.

The Lifestyle Vehicle (LV): A Living Room on the Go

The flagship model is the Lifestyle Vehicle. It is designed for the #VanLife generation. The rear seats perform a U-shape, like a lounge sofa, rather than traditional rows. It feels more like a booth at a diner than the back seat of a car.

With its panoramic glass roof and that signature "street view" window, visibility is unmatched. It is designed for adventure, featuring a modular accessory rail system where you can snap on roof racks, surfboards, or camping gear.

The Pickup: Ready for Work

Canoo’s Pickup Truck is just as radical. It features a modular bed that can extend from 6 feet to 8 feet. The front of the truck folds down to become a workbench. There are hidden drawers in the side steps. It is a masterclass in utility, stripping away the macho aggression of modern trucks and replacing it with pure functionality.

The NASA Seal of Approval

You know you are doing something right when NASA calls. Canoo was selected to provide the Crew Transportation Vehicles for the Artemis moon missions. These modified LVs will carry astronauts to the launch pad, cementing Canoo's image as the vehicle of the future.

The Hugegarage Verdict

Canoo is the anti-status symbol. It doesn't scream "look how rich I am"; it says "look how smart I am." By utilizing steer-by-wire and a skateboard chassis, they have unlocked interior space that other manufacturers can only dream of. If they can ramp up production, Canoo could be the Volkswagen Bus of the 21st century.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is unique about the Canoo Steer-by-Wire system?

Canoo is the first mass-market vehicle to utilize true Steer-by-Wire technology. This means there is no mechanical connection (steering column) between the steering wheel and the wheels.

Signals are sent electronically. This allows the steering wheel to be placed anywhere in the cabin, enabling the unique "cab-forward" design where the driver sits nearly on top of the front wheels, maximizing interior space.

What is the Canoo Skateboard Platform?

The Multi-Purpose Platform (MPP), or skateboard, is the foundation of every Canoo vehicle. It houses the battery, electric motors, suspension, and steering components in a self-contained flat chassis.

Because the chassis is fully functional without a body, Canoo can easily swap different "top hats" (bodies)—like a delivery van, a pickup truck, or a sedan—on top of the same underlying hardware, drastically reducing manufacturing costs.

Is Canoo making vehicles for NASA?

Yes. Canoo was awarded a contract to build the Crew Transportation Vehicles (CTV) for NASA's Artemis missions.

These modified Canoo Lifestyle Vehicles will transport astronauts, fully suited in their spacesuits, from the operations building to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center, replacing the historic Airstream "Astrovan" used during the Shuttle era.

When will the Canoo Pickup Truck be released?

While the Canoo Pickup Truck has been unveiled to massive acclaim, mass production priority has shifted to the commercial LDV (Lifestyle Delivery Vehicle) to fulfill fleet orders.

The pickup is currently available for pre-order. It features a unique extendable truck bed (pull-out floor), a fold-down front worktable (frunk), and modular side storage, positioning it as a highly functional tool for workers and adventurers.

Where are Canoo vehicles manufactured?

Canoo is an American manufacturer. They have established a vehicle manufacturing facility in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Additionally, they have a battery module manufacturing facility in Pryor, Oklahoma. This "Made in America" status is critical for qualifying for federal fleet contracts and potential EV tax credits.

Who is buying Canoo vans?

Canoo has pivoted from a consumer-first subscription model to a commercial fleet-first strategy.

Major customers include Walmart (who ordered 4,500 units for last-mile delivery), Kingbee, and Zeeba. The design of the LDV (Lifestyle Delivery Vehicle) is optimized for delivery drivers, with easy curb access and high cargo volume in a small footprint.

What is the range of the Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle?

The Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle (LV) targets a range of approximately 250 miles (EPA estimated).

It is equipped with an roughly 80 kWh battery pack. While not the longest range in the EV market, it is optimized for city environments and delivery routes where efficiency and interior volume are more important than transcontinental range.

Why does the Canoo look like a loft on wheels?

Canoo's design philosophy is "Loft on Wheels." By pushing the wheels to the absolute corners and removing the engine bay (thanks to the skateboard platform), they achieved the interior volume of a large SUV with the exterior footprint of a compact car.

The passenger version features unique U-shaped rear seating and "street view" windows below the dashboard, creating a social, lounge-like atmosphere.

Does the Canoo have a front trunk (frunk)?

Not in the traditional sense. Because of the extreme cab-forward design, the "nose" of the vehicle is very short.

Instead of a storage bin, the front panel features a unique "street view" window for visibility. On the Pickup Truck model, this area folds down to become a worktable with power outlets, allowing you to use tools right off the front of the truck.

Is Canoo still offering a subscription service?

Originally, Canoo launched with a revolutionary "subscription-only" business model. However, under new leadership, they pivoted to a traditional sales model.

Currently, you buy the vehicle like a normal car. This shift was necessary to secure capital and large fleet orders from commercial partners who prefer to own their assets.