Canoo Electric Pickup Is in the Army Now

canoo light tactical vehicle
Canoo Sends Electric Pickup for U.S. Army to TestCanoo
  • Canoo, an EV startup that is aiming to sell a pod-shaped van to the public in 2023, has modified one of its upcoming pickup trucks for the United States Army.

  • The U.S. Army awarded Canoo a contract to test one of its vehicles in July, and now the division will use the Light Tactical Vehicle prototype for "analysis and demonstration."

  • The LTV features all-wheel drive and a 600-hp powertrain as well as air springs, a raised suspension, and 32-inch all-terrain tires.

EV startup Canoo has yet to start full-scale production of its pod-shaped Lifestyle Vehicle, but in July the fledgling automaker signed two major contracts. The first was an agreement to supply Walmart with 4500 delivery vans, planning to deliver the fleet after production begins at its plant in Oklahoma for 2023. The second contract was with the United States Army to provide an EV for analysis and demonstration, and now Canoo has announced that it has delivered its Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV) to the U.S. Army.

The LTV appears to be a modified version of Canoo’s pickup truck variant that shares its front end with the Lifestyle Vehicle. Canoo says that the LTV uses carbon Kevlar to increase the strength of the vehicle while reducing weight, and Canoo also touts the LTV’s adaptability, explaining that it can be converted from a pickup to a flatbed truck, a cargo vehicle, or other configurations.

The LTV is all-wheel drive, and Canon says it produces up to 600 horsepower. The LTV also rides on a raised suspension, air springs, and 32-inch all-terrain tires to help it travel over more challenging terrain. Canoo also says the LTV has a modular attachment setup that also for the easy installment of accessories like racks, storage boxes, ramps, and tactical systems and also claims the LTV can use its flatbed to easily carry plywood and other construction materials. Now the army will begin its testing of the LTV as it considers whether an electric pickup can properly serve the military.

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