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Canoo: All Models, History & Specs | The Future of Mobility

Canoo is the revolutionary American EV startup that is completely rethinking the automobile. With its groundbreaking 'skateboard' platform and a 'loft-on-wheels' design philosophy, Canoo builds multi-purpose vehicles for a new generation. From the iconic Lifestyle Vehicle to its futuristic pickup, discover the brand that is bringing space back to the car.

Canoo: The EV Startup That's Rethinking the Car

In a world of electric vehicle startups, few are as radical, innovative, and instantly recognizable as Canoo. Based in Torrance, California, USA, Canoo is not just building electric cars; it is fundamentally rethinking what a vehicle can be and how we use it. With its revolutionary modular "skateboard" platform, a unique cab-forward "loft-on-wheels" design, and a focus on maximizing interior space, Canoo is creating a new generation of multi-purpose vehicles for a more connected and versatile future. This is the story of a company that is daring to be different, from the ground up.

The Genesis: A Clean Sheet of Paper

Founded in 2017 by a group of former Faraday Future executives, the company (originally named Evelozcity) set out with a clear and ambitious goal: to challenge the very conventions of automotive design. Instead of creating a traditional-looking car and stuffing it with batteries, the team started with a clean sheet of paper. They focused on leveraging the unique packaging advantages of an electric powertrain to create vehicles that were all about utility, space, and a user-centric experience. This led to the creation of their two foundational innovations: the skateboard platform and the cab-forward design.

Core Philosophy: The Skateboard and the "Top Hat"

Canoo's core philosophy is built on a brilliant and incredibly efficient engineering concept:

  • The Skateboard Platform: This is the heart of every Canoo. The "skateboard" is a completely flat, self-contained, rolling chassis that houses all the most critical components of the vehicle: the battery, the electric motors, the suspension, and the steering. Most importantly, it is the first true, fully steer-by-wire platform, meaning there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels. This allows for unparalleled design freedom.
  • The "Top Hat": Because all the mechanicals are in the skateboard, the upper body of the vehicle—the "top hat"—can be almost any shape or size. This allows Canoo to create a huge variety of different vehicles, from a passenger van to a pickup truck to a delivery vehicle, all using the exact same underlying platform. This dramatically reduces complexity and cost.

A Portfolio for a New Generation

Canoo's vehicle lineup is a showcase of its modular, space-maximizing philosophy, designed to cater to a wide range of consumer and commercial needs.

The Lifestyle Vehicle (LV): The "Loft on Wheels"

The Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle (LV) is the icon of the brand. It is a revolutionary vehicle that looks like it drove out of a sci-fi movie. With its unique, capsule-like design and cab-forward layout, it offers the interior space of a large SUV on the compact footprint of a small car. The interior is designed to be a "loft on wheels," a versatile and customizable space with lounge-like rear seating that is perfect for urban adventures, families, and ride-sharing.

The Pickup Truck: The Future of Utility

The Canoo Pickup Truck is a radical reimagining of the classic American workhorse. It is a cab-forward truck that is more compact than a traditional pickup but offers a highly modular and expandable bed with features like pull-out work surfaces and hidden storage. Its futuristic, utilitarian design and incredible maneuverability make it a unique and compelling vision for the future of the pickup.

The MPDV: The Last-Mile Solution

The Multi-Purpose Delivery Vehicle (MPDV) is Canoo's purpose-built commercial van, designed to revolutionize the world of last-mile delivery for companies like Walmart and the USPS. By leveraging the low, flat floor of the skateboard platform, the MPDV maximizes cargo volume and driver ergonomics, creating a smart, efficient, and cost-effective solution for modern logistics.

Canoo's Market Position and a Bumpy Road

Canoo operates as a high-tech EV startup with a strong focus on the commercial and fleet markets, in addition to its consumer offerings.

Target Audience and Competitive Landscape

Canoo's target audience is a mix of forward-thinking consumers and major commercial clients. The consumer is a tech-savvy individual who values design, utility, and a vehicle that stands out from the crowd. On the commercial side, Canoo is targeting major players in the delivery, trades, and logistics industries who are looking for a more efficient and cost-effective EV solution. While it competes with other EV startups like Rivian and legacy players entering the commercial EV space, Canoo's unique modular platform and space-focused design give it a powerful and unique selling proposition.

Despite its brilliant designs and innovative technology, the company has faced significant financial and production challenges on its road to mass production. However, its continued partnerships with major corporations and its recent start of production signal a new chapter for this ambitious American innovator.

Canoo Models

  • Lifestyle Vehicle (LV)

    2023-Present

    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.

  • Pickup Truck (MPDV)

    Announced

    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.

  • Multi-Purpose Delivery Vehicle (MPDV)

    2023-Present

    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.

  • Canoo Skateboard

    Brand Technology

    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.

  • American Bulldog

    Announced

    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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is so unique about Canoo's design?
Canoo vehicles are unique because of their "loft-on-wheels" design. By using a flat "skateboard" platform, the engineers were able to push the driver's cabin far forward (cab-forward) and eliminate the engine bay. This maximizes interior space on a compact footprint. The Lifestyle Vehicle, for example, has the interior space of a large SUV but is the length of a small compact car, a revolutionary approach to vehicle packaging.
What is the Canoo 'skateboard' platform?
The Canoo skateboard is the groundbreaking heart of all their vehicles. It is a completely flat, self-contained rolling chassis that integrates the battery, electric motors, suspension, and the world's first fully steer-by-wire system in a production vehicle. This allows different cabins, or "top hats," to be easily attached, so the same skateboard can be the base for a passenger van, a pickup truck, or a delivery vehicle.
What is 'steer-by-wire'?
Steer-by-wire is a technology where there is no physical or mechanical link between the steering wheel and the front wheels. Instead, sensors in the steering wheel send digital signals to electric motors that turn the wheels. Canoo's platform is the first to use this in a production vehicle. This technology allows for incredible design freedom, as the steering wheel can be placed anywhere in the cabin.
Who is Canoo making vehicles for?
Canoo has a dual focus. They are building their unique Lifestyle Vehicle and Pickup Truck for consumers who value design, utility, and a unique driving experience. At the same time, they have a major focus on the commercial market, with their Multi-Purpose Delivery Vehicle (MPDV). They have secured large orders from major companies like Walmart and the US Postal Service, as well as providing crew transportation vehicles for NASA's Artemis missions.
Are Canoo vehicles available for purchase now?
Canoo has officially started production and has been delivering its first vehicles to commercial customers like the state of Oklahoma and other fleet partners. While they have taken pre-orders from the general public for the Lifestyle Vehicle and Pickup Truck, the company's initial manufacturing focus is on fulfilling its larger commercial and fleet contracts before ramping up broader consumer deliveries.