The American start-up Canoo presents its first delivery van: the ‘Multi Purpose Delivery Vehicle’. From 2023, the electric commercial vehicle, which will initially come on the market in two different variants, must go into production.
In any case, there is no lack of ambition at Canoo, which was founded under the name Evelozcity in 2017. At the end of last year, the start-up unveiled another prototype for an electric MPV-like, now it comes up with something completely different. This prototype does have a name: the ‘Multi Purpose Delivery Vehicle’. This immediately reveals the purpose for which Canoo designed the electric van. It is primarily intended for the delivery of orders in urban areas, where distances are shorter. According to Canoo, the ‘MPDV’ is also suitable for service technicians, for example. With the MPDV, Canoo is targeting both small and large companies, whereby large customers have the option to tailor the MPDV to their specific requirements. With this, Canoo seems to want to offer the competing start-up Rivian a rebuttal.
The MPDV stands on a ‘specially developed electric platform’ that Canoo probably developed in collaboration with Hyundai. Initially it will be launched in two variants: MPDV1 and MPDV2. The first is 4.3 meters long and 1.9 meters high, the MPDV2 is considerably larger with a length of 5.2 meters and a height of 2.5 meters. The wheelbase remains the same for both variants. The total maximum load volume of the MPDV1 is, according to Canoo, more than 6,500 liters, the MPDV2 is more than 14,000 liters. In both versions, a 200 hp and 319 Nm strong electric motor drives the front wheels. In terms of battery pack, there is a choice of 40, 60 or 80 kWh. With 80 kWh, the MPDV1 should be able to achieve a WLTP range of 480 kilometers. Furthermore, the MPDV has autonomous driver assistance systems on board and Canoo offers ‘over-the-air’ updates.
International plans
The MPDV should go into large-scale production from 2023, but Canoo says the van will already be ‘limited availability’ by 2022. The company has plans to market the vehicle internationally, but it is not yet known when it would come our way. The MPDV has a starting price of € 26,891 in America. Interested parties can reserve the electric van there for a deposit of € 81.49.