Canoo’s EV pickup is “bad to the bone”
If, like Elon Musk, you’re planning on visiting Mars sometimes soon, we’ve got the perfect interplanetary rover/SUV for you; the all-new Canoo fully electric pickup truck.
Described as “ready for work and the weekend” (which is good news for Scott Morrison, our PM, who once infamously declared that EVs wanted to put an end to the weekend), the Canoo’s visually arresting looks are perhaps best explained by the designers’ goal of creating a truck that is “the most cab-forward” on the market.
It certainly is that, with a look from side on that looks like a sliced Kombi Van that’s been reimagined for a sci-fi movie.
The goal of the design of the Canoo EV pickup is to give the most cargo capacity on the smaller footprint possible, while the driving position, as a bonus, provides maximum visibility.
It is one of more than a dozen new electric utes coming soon. Even Chinese car maker BYD is working on an EV ute, one that could eventually be made in Australia.
Available with either dual motors front and rear, or one on the rear axle alone, the Canoo pickup is claiming 330km-plus of range and 745Nm and a payload in excess of 800kg in that large rear tray.
Unveiled in California yesterday, the Canoo will be available for pre-orders, in the US at least, from 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, Executive Chairman, Canoo.
“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, we did it because it’s your platform and she’s bad to the bone.”
Yes, he did say “bad to the bone”, just in case you were wondering how US-focused this pickup is.
The Canoo does come with some cool features, though, like a pull-out extension for the rear bed, which can make your rear end longer for carrying larger items – stretching from six feet to eight feet.
There’s also a storage area at the front of the truck, which can hold your tools and features a fold-down worktable with electrical outlets to plug them into.
Indeed, the Canoo “doubles as a powerplant”, with a number of outlets where you can plug in and charge things “with as little as 10 per cent impact on vehicle range”.
The pickup truck is the third vehicle to be built on Canoo’s EV platform following a passenger van and a delivery van.
