How about a Swiss army knife-type of electric pickup? By 2023, Canoo will show us how that actually works

Canoo Inc, a company developing breakthrough purpose-built electric vehicles (EVs) with a proprietary and highly versatile platform architecture, has debuted its very own fully-electric pickup truck during the Motor Press Guild’s Virtual Media Day (VMD) in partnership with Automobility LA. The pickup truck’s production version opened for preorders in the second quarter of this year, with deliveries beginning as early as 2023.

“We are so passionate about building vehicles that can change people’s lives,” said Tony Aquila, Canoo Executive Chairman. “Our pickup truck is as strong as the toughest trucks out there and is designed to be exponentially more productive. This truck works for you. We made accessories for people who use trucks—on the job, weekends, adventure. You name it, and we did it because it’s your platform, and she’s bad to the bone.”

Canoo’s pickup truck has several unique features to help customers do more with their vehicles. The pickup truck bed is six feet long and can extend to a fully enclosed eight feet, allowing big items such as a 4×8 ft sheet of plywood to fit inside easily. The pull-handle bed extension also helps with loading and unloading the truck. The extension also serves as a license plate holder. When the bed is extended, the second layer of tailgate doors can be swiveled out. The bed-extension also houses a secondary lamp containing all tail lamp functions.

To offer the greatest utility, the pickup features a front cargo storage area that can hold tools or gear, and also includes a fold-down worktable with electrical outlets. The workstation table is extendable to allow customers to have maximized work surface on the go and provide an area to put on gear before heading out exploring. Both sides of the vehicle house a flip-down table in two expandable depths. The flip-down side table built into the side panel becomes a workbench with multi-functional power sources nearby.

There is a hidden step to allow quick and easy access to the truck bed on the side of the vehicle. Underneath the step board is a flexible storage area for items, including a first-aid kit, cooler for snacks and drinks, lockable laptop storage, and more. This space-efficient feature is only possible due to Canoo’s ultra-flat platform. The truck bed is modular with Canoo’s space divider system designed to keep items separate and secure. The bed wall also incorporates modular wheel chocks to secure bikes and configurable tie-downs for ladders, large equipment, and other materials.

The pickup truck can double as a powerplant with exportable power accessible on all sides of the vehicle. Power can last all day for tools and devices, with as little as 10% impact on vehicle range. The third brake light doubles as an overhead light to see inside the cargo bed at night. The vehicle is also equipped with perimeter lighting on all sides of the bed wall for added visibility. Optional roof racks in variable sizes for added cargo storage are also available. The roof rack is easily accessible from the flatbed or via the sidestep. The pickup truck has been designed to accommodate various camper shells to fit as many use cases as possible.

Canoo’s new electric pickup is powered by dual or rear motor configurations with up to 600 hp and 746 Nm of maximum torque (dual motors). The battery range is at over 200 miles (320 kms) with a vehicle payload capacity of 1800 pounds. The platform will utilize steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire technology with a tow hitch receiver.

Dimension-wise, wheelbase is at 2850 mm, overall length is at 4677 mm (with bed extension: 5400 mm), width at 1980 mm (with mirrors: 2209 mm), and height at 1920 mm (with roof rack: 2085 mm). The cargo bed alone measures 1627 mm x 1817 mm (with extension: 1627 mm x 2600 mm). Bed depth is at 522 mm, while the roof rack measures 1230 mm x 1360 mm. Fitted tires are 265 60r18.

This new electric pickup truck is the third vehicle based on the company’s proprietary multi-purpose platform architecture, enabling the accelerated development timeline. Canoo’s EV platform functionally integrates all the critical components of an electric powertrain to be as flat and efficient as possible. Traditional EV platforms have power units, shock towers, and mechanical steering columns that protrude into the vehicle and take up space. By incorporating steer-by-wire and other space-saving technologies, Canoo’s thin platform, with no need for an engine compartment, allows the company to offer a flatbed size comparable to America’s best-selling pickup truck on a smaller footprint. This makes the vehicle easier to maneuver and more convenient to drive and park on any terrain.

Canoo designed its pickup truck to be the most cab-forward and space-efficient on the market, with massive cargo capacity on the smallest footprint possible. Thanks to the flexible platform and steer-by-wire, the passenger compartment could be shifted forward to maximize driver visibility. The designers gave the pickup added stance and durability with increased wheel spats to support larger wheels, providing improved stability and giving it a rugged profile. Advanced lighting technology provides adaptive safety, and the company’s iconic signature headlights and taillights serve as core brand identifiers without the need for a logo. Beyond just storage, the vehicle’s front surface has been extended to protect the headlights and windscreen better.

The bumpers are designed for maximum functionality and durability with integrated tow hooks and metal skid plates on both the front and rear. The vehicle’s fog lamps are also integrated seamlessly into the bumper design to offer the driver additional visibility and safety. Lined with durable trim and materials, the extended cab vehicle has two seats in the front with a customizable rear compartment that can accommodate two additional seats or support other purpose-built use-case configurations.

Canoo will reveal the full specifications closer to production. With its thoughtful added features, utilitarian design, and compact maneuverability, this vehicle reinforces Canoo’s mission of creating EVs for everyone on or off-road. Canoo’s line of battery EVs is purposefully designed to help everyday people be more productive and enjoy a return on capital from their vehicle, putting money back into the pockets of its consumers. (Story and photos courtesy of Canoo Inc)

Watch this short launch video on the Canoo electric pickup truck and its unbelievable functionalities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKio70K1OEM