Canoo pick-up truck...
Discussion
was just bumbling across the internet, as you do, and stumbled across a company called Canoo (whom I'd never heard of before). IMO it does look properly funky, certainly something I'd like to drive/own (when I was at the point of being able to afford it!!). Apparently deliveries due '23
https://www.canoo.com/pickup/
https://www.canoo.com/pickup/
Looks great, and has some neat features - extending load bed, fold down work benches close to power outlets etc. Not sure why it needs 500hp though - I'd be happy with less than half of that if it increased the range (currently 200 miles). The interior is a bit grim - it's like they've gone all out for hose-down functionality then thought they'd better add a rectangular steering wheel because that's what the future's suppose to be like.
Reminds me a little of Electric Brands' Xbus, but that's at the opposite end of the price + performance scale I think
Reminds me a little of Electric Brands' Xbus, but that's at the opposite end of the price + performance scale I think
Driven:
https://youtu.be/fpjcbTGaYgs
I hadn't realised how close to production this thing is, I thought it was more of a concept. Still looks good, and I still hate the square steering wheel.
https://youtu.be/fpjcbTGaYgs
I hadn't realised how close to production this thing is, I thought it was more of a concept. Still looks good, and I still hate the square steering wheel.
Last Mile Delivery is an enormously vital sector of the EV market. Using pushbikes etc infills at the bottom but the electric van is the only scalable option and that market will be immense and once it starts growing it will grow extremely quickly. For example, Amazon is one of the most polluting businesses in the planet due to how it facilitates dirty factory production, dirty international shipping and dirty last mile delivery. The spectacular growth in delivery vans in the urban environment has co tributes not just to direct urban pollution but indirect due to the added congestion. Companies that engage in LMD all have to switch to EVs for that part. The key is not just the appearance of the viable product but changing the infrastructure so as to be able to factor in the new costs and the new refuelling dynamics. For example, Amazon currently 'offshore' a lot of cost by getting the non employee to buy and maintain the van themselves.
That model seems less plausible under EV as few of those non employees will have easy home charging or the financial means to procure the use of an EV like this. They will need to internalise all of this in order for it to work. Hence why Walmart see an advantage due to their urban real estate network that is ideal for storing, charging and restocking EV vans and why they are buying the vans and employing the drivers.
And of course, if you're building the vans for this commerce you don't want to ignore the leisure market. And add to that these things could become the new Espace, replacing the MPV, even SUV due to how it's natural shape more easily exploits the packaging benefits of EV.
It's not inconceivable to see the minivan trend return and be far bigger than before, especially if frothing anti SUV politics continues as it will in an economic decline when folk need something to blame and hate.
That model seems less plausible under EV as few of those non employees will have easy home charging or the financial means to procure the use of an EV like this. They will need to internalise all of this in order for it to work. Hence why Walmart see an advantage due to their urban real estate network that is ideal for storing, charging and restocking EV vans and why they are buying the vans and employing the drivers.
And of course, if you're building the vans for this commerce you don't want to ignore the leisure market. And add to that these things could become the new Espace, replacing the MPV, even SUV due to how it's natural shape more easily exploits the packaging benefits of EV.
It's not inconceivable to see the minivan trend return and be far bigger than before, especially if frothing anti SUV politics continues as it will in an economic decline when folk need something to blame and hate.
Bit sad. Looks like this project is going to fold soon. Like a lot of the SPACs from the post Covid free money euphoric piss away they can't raise any more funds from the shareholders and being US it's very unlikely any sane entity, or one without very deep pockets is going to step in before the world knows which senile bloke is going to be president. 
While the market does need a clear out of the weak EV projects and this appears to be going ahead well in China, this was one that I'd hoped would succeed. Seems like a great product but one that arguably has a larger potential market in Europe than the US.
While the market does need a clear out of the weak EV projects and this appears to be going ahead well in China, this was one that I'd hoped would succeed. Seems like a great product but one that arguably has a larger potential market in Europe than the US.
blank said:
They had a pickup truck over for a few events a month or so ago (including Bicester scramble I think?).
They've also been doing a UK show the past couple of days (but no pickup sadly).
Think they have a reasonable chance but could disappear quickly without cash!
Sadly, when you look at their cash burn, they've been running it like a Silicon Valley disrupter techbro business but in hindsight should have probably just run it as a business that makes and sells vans. They've also been doing a UK show the past couple of days (but no pickup sadly).
Think they have a reasonable chance but could disappear quickly without cash!
. A casualty of changing investment trends. It looks very unlikely that the company will survive but hopefully someone will pick up the business and keep going with it.
The product looked good and I think they had a huge order from US Postal Service too. This is a bit like when Musk bought Tesla off those two fellas. It needs a billionaire to get it produced at scale as it would be a very viable product from a video on YT I saw a couple of weeks ago.
Yup. I'd read that they had the order from the US Postal Service which is why they've ended up with a RHD version so trying to come to the U.K. earlier than they'd planned.
They appear to have begun deliveries and have a fair order book and the pricing seems sensible. But private investor sentiment in the US has all but evaporated and institutional investors have also shrunk to tiny numbers.
Being of modest size, funky and electric one wonders if their largest potential now is Europe where EV vans can be more than just last mile stuff or companies wanting a greener image?
They appear to have begun deliveries and have a fair order book and the pricing seems sensible. But private investor sentiment in the US has all but evaporated and institutional investors have also shrunk to tiny numbers.
Being of modest size, funky and electric one wonders if their largest potential now is Europe where EV vans can be more than just last mile stuff or companies wanting a greener image?
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