Canoo MPDV electric van prioritises EV cost of ownership
Everything from a food truck or ice cream van to a courier or plumbing van could soon have a futuristic look and environmentally friendly electric drivetrain with the imminent arrival of the Canoo MPDV.
American electric vehicle startup Canoo has revealed its second vehicle with the somewhat unimaginative name of Multi-Purpose Delivery Van, or MPDV.
Focused on low running costs to keep businesses happy, the Canoo MPDV is planned to begin trickling onto the market from 2022 priced from about US$33,000 ($43,500).
Californian-based Canoo says it was designed “specifically with the needs of small businesses and large last-mile delivery companies in mind”.
With hints of Tesla Cybertruck in its blocky, futuristic design, the Canoo MPDV is claimed to have “best-in-class total cost of ownership”.
The MPDV sits on the company’s electric skateboard architecture that places batteries in the floor and allows different bodies to easily be plonked on top.
That also allows customisation, with Canoo open to bespoke designs for larger orders: “Large customers, such as last-mile and package delivery fleets, retailers, major corporations and logistics companies, also have the option to co-develop a custom vehicle with Canoo to meet their specific requirements.”
Canoo says the MPDV was designed with the driver in mind, the promise of increased safety and comfort from things such as a low step-in height and in-built software that can help with route planning and data analysis.
“We created our multi-purpose delivery vehicle from the inside out, with the ergonomics of the driver in mind and with attention to detail to help them be happier and more productive at work,” said Canoo executive chairman Tony Aquila.
“The vehicle is affordable and offers greater cargo capacity than the current electric delivery offerings in its class. We aim to lower the total cost of ownership and increase return on investment for everyone from local small business owners to large fleets.”
The MPDV will also have “level 2.5” semi-autonomous driving, which is slightly above the level 2 autonomy currently on many new vehicles.
There’s also no mechanical links between the brakes and the brake pedal and the steering wheel or front wheels, the MPDV instead having steer by-wire and brake by-wire systems claimed to bring better functionality for semi-autonomous features.
As with many of the electric utes and pick-up trucks due soon, the Canoo MPDV will also have the ability to power tools and equipment from its external charging port. Interestingly, that charging port contains two outlets that look like Australian power plugs (they’re also used in other countries, including New Zealand and parts of China).
The Canoo MPDV will be available in two sizes, the smaller MPDV1 or larger MPDV2, the latter having more than double the cargo volume. In either configuration (the MPDV1 is designed to fit into lower carparks while the higher MPDV allows people to walk in its load area without bending) the MPDV is claimed to have almost 30 percent more cargo volume “than other leading delivery vehicles”.
Each will be available with either a 40, 60 or 80kWh battery pack, with claimed WLTP ranges from 110 miles (161km) to 300 miles (483km).
A single electric motor provides outputs of about 150kW and 320Nm.
Orders are currently being taken with a US$100 deposit, with plans for full volume production by 2023.
No word yet on whether the Canoo MPDV will be sold in right-hand drive countries such as Australia.
