Canoo is one of the most promising electric vehicle startups on the market. The company plans to produce the Lifestyle Vehicle, an innovative new product that can serve as both a people-carrier and a delivery van. However, it is the delivery van variant that has really saved Canoo from going under. Last year, the company received substantial orders for its Lifestyle Delivery Vehicle (LDV) from major fleet customers such as Kingbee, Zeeba, and Walmart, totaling almost 17,000 units with the option for an additional 16,200.
To meet the demand, Canoo has acquired a new vehicle manufacturing facility in Oklahoma City. The company plans to start production of the LDV in the second half of this year, as estimated in November 2022. Canoo’s first product is cleverly designed and original, as shown in a video by TFLEV, a popular YouTube channel on electric vehicles.
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The video showcases the driving experience of the Lifestyle Vehicle, filmed from the front passenger seat while driving through Indianapolis city traffic. Canoo’s Global Vice President-Customer Journey, Gary Gumushian, is behind the wheel, and Andre Smirnov is beside him. In the video, Gumushian confirms that the steer-by-wire system has been certified as road-legal, which is big news for the company.
The video also highlights the great visibility the driver has in the Lifestyle Vehicle, thanks in part to Canoo’s signature lower windshield located underneath the main one. This feature eliminates many blind spots and increases driver comfort and confidence. With no need for a traditional steering column, the dashboard of the LV is reduced to the minimum, providing more space for the driver and front passenger.
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Other features of the Canoo demonstrated in the video include the tight turning circle, various controls, and the touchscreen placed to the left of the driver. The second part of the video showcases the delivery van variant upfitted for Schindler Elevator Corporation, which recently purchased 50 Canoo LDVs. The upfitted van was displayed at the Indianapolis Work Truck Week in March.
Canoo’s promising start in the EV market shows that innovation and originality can lead to success. With the company’s plans to start production in the near future, we can expect to see more of the Lifestyle Vehicle on the roads, revolutionizing the way we think about transportation.
