EV Startup Canoo Wants to Get in on Electric Pickup War With its New Concept

author: Vineeth Joel Patel   

Everyone may be focusing on SUVs, but electric pickup trucks are shaping up to be the next big thing for automakers. GMC, Tesla, Ford, Rivian, Chevrolet, Lordstown, Bollinger, and Nikola are all set to enter the electric pickup scene shortly. Now, another automaker wants to throw its hat into the ring. Startup Canoo, which also has plans to introduce an electric delivery van and something that looks like a minivan, recently came out with a pickup truck concept. Pre-orders for the truck will start later this year, but deliveries won't officially start until 2023.


What Makes Canoo's Option Special


Up against the other upcoming electric pickup trucks, Canoo's really hoping that its option stands out because of the startup's "skateboard" chassis. This skateboard platform has all of the vehicle's major components, including the battery pack, electric motors, suspension, and steering. This chassis allows Canoo to easily place different bodies on top of it, meaning that the possibilities for the vehicles it can make are essentially endless.


That's how Canoo's latest pickup truck concept came to life. The odd-looking machine has minimal angles, but is similar in size to the new Ford F-150 that recently came out, though its wheelbase will be 10 inches shorter. Thanks to the electric layout, the cab of Canoo's pickup truck is much more forward, which results in more bed space than a traditional pickup truck. 


The really cool thing about Canoo's concept is just how versatile it is. Both sides of the bed fold down to create impromptu workspaces, while four available 110-volt outlets are on hand to power tools. Other cool features on the concept include a pull-out bed extension that can extend the bed from six feet to eight, a fold-down worktable at the front, a side step that extends from the side of the truck, a modular bed with space dividers, bed lighting, and an available roof rack.


Behind The Pack In Range, Capability


Surprisingly, Canoo provided some information on what kind of powertrain its pickup truck will come with. The truck will be offered in dual- and single-motor configurations, which leads us to believe that both all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive will be available. With the dual-motor configuration, the pickup will produce up to 600 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque. The company claims the truck will have a range of over 200 miles.


These figures aren't as astronomical as the GMC Hummer EV, which boasts 1,000 hp and up to 11,500 lb-ft of torque (though the latter figure is misleading) and has a claimed range of 350 miles. The upcoming Tesla Cybertruck will be offered in a tri-motor layout that has an estimated range of 500 miles and more than 14,000 pounds of towing capacity. So, when it comes to figures, Canoo's pickup won't have the same capability as other ones that are in the works.


Still, with its funky design, unique skateboard chassis, and incredible versatile bed, we see Canoo's truck being a popular option. The only issue is having to wait for it to go on sale. Canoo, like many other electric automakers, doesn't actually have an EV on sale yet. With the electric pickup expected to go on sale sometime in the middle of 2022, we're going to have to wait a long time before getting more information on the vehicle.

Vineeth Joel Patel

Joel Patel has been covering all aspects of the automotive industry for four years as an editor and freelance writer for various websites. When it comes to cars, he enjoys covering the merger between technology and cars. In his spare time, Joel likes to watch baseball, work on his car, and try new foods