Canoo Just Unveiled the Swiss Army Knife of Pickup Trucks
California-based EV startup Canoo just revealed the first images of its new all-electric Pickup Truck—and it’s unlike anything we’ve seen on the market. Set to launch in 2023, the cabover-style vehicle is designed to offer the payload of a full-size pickup while retaining the practicality and form factor of a hatchback.
Preorders for the Canoo Pickup Truck will begin later this year. Pricing details are not yet available.
The versatile pickup will measure 78 inches wide with an overall length of 184 inches, and it’s designed to have a payload capacity of 1,800 pounds. The vehicle’s towing capacity and other specifications will be revealed closer to production.
"We are so passionate about building vehicles that can change people’s lives," says Tony Aquila, Canoo’s 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."
Designed with vanlife culture in mind, the pickup can accommodate a variety of camper shells.
Like Canoo’s MPDV (multipurpose delivery vehicle), the Pickup Truck caters to a diverse consumer base with a customizable design engineered to maximize space. Multiple fold-down and flip-out work surfaces expand the usable footprint of the vehicle, which can be further personalized with custom add-ons. "We made accessories for people who use trucks—on the job, on weekends, for adventure," says Aquila. "You name it, we did it—because it’s your platform and she’s bad to the bone."
The truck’s roomy cab can be customized with a bench seat or bucket seats.
The front of the vehicle includes a fold-down work table, cargo storage, and a charging station equipped with six outlets and four USB ports.
The sides of the bed also flip down to create expandable work tables.
The key to the pickup’s space-saving design is Canoo’s proprietary skateboard platform, which holds a self-contained electric powertrain. The platform is modular (it will also power the Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle and the MPDV), it’s designed to be as flat and efficient as possible, and it completely eliminates the need for an engine compartment.
A pull-out sidestep with concealed storage takes advantage of Canoo’s ultra-flat platform. The hidden step makes it easier to reach the roof rack and truck bed.
The truck can be accessorized with roof racks in varying sizes with adjustable tie-down hooks.
The six-foot bed can expand to a fully enclosed eight feet to carry large items, such as a four-by-eight-foot sheet of plywood.
According to Reuters, the all-electric pickup will be produced in a Canoo-operated microfactory in the U.S. Although the company currently estimates the driving range to be around 200 miles, Aquila hopes to expand the range to at least 300 miles by the 2023 launch.
The bed can be further modified with modular dividers, wheel chocks, and configurable tie-down hooks.
Envisioned as a mobile power plant, the Pickup Truck offers charge ports on all sides of the vehicle.
The compact pickup’s dual motors are designed to offer up to 600 horsepower and 550 pound feet of torque.
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