Canoo, a Los Angeles-based EV startup, today revealed the prototype for its all-electric multi-purpose delivery vehicle with a starting price of about $33,000, the company said in a statement.

The vehicle, built on Canoo’s proprietary electric platform, will be offered in two initial size variants, with others to follow. Limited availability will begin in 2022, with scaled production and launch planned for 2023, the company said.

The smaller MPDV1 offers dimensions comparable to smaller cargo vans such as the Ford Transit Connect and Nissan NV200, but with more cargo capacity — 230 cu. ft. — behind the bulkhead. The larger MPDV2 fits in the large van category (Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit) and offers comparatively substantial 450 cu. ft. of cargo volume behind the bulkhead.

Canoo maintains that its flat electric vehicle platform and driver-forward architecture enables nearly 30% more cargo volume than comparable vehicles on a smaller vehicle footprint.

Three battery packs will be offered: 40kWh (for an estimated 130 miles range on the MPDV1 and 90 miles on MPDV2), 60kWh (190 miles/140 miles), and 80kWh (230/190 miles). The 80-kWh size is expected to charge from 20% to 80% in 28 minutes using DC Fast Charging.

The production vehicle plans to offer a bi-directional onboard charger in lieu of adding a separate DC-AC converter, which will act as a power plant for equipment and tools through an added 125V or 240V AC output power plug. From an ergonomics perspective, the vehicle offers a low step in height of 17 inches along with storage lockers, a roll-up style door, and ramp slide outs.  

Canoo said the models were designed for small businesses such as independent contractors, utilities, and service technicians. For large customers, such as last-mile and package delivery fleets, retailers, major corporations, and logistics companies, Canoo is offering to co-develop a custom vehicle to meet specific requirements.

“The vehicle is affordable and offers greater cargo capacity than the current electric delivery offerings in its class. said Tony Aquila, executive chairman of Canoo. “We aim to lower the total cost of ownership and increase return on investment for everyone from local small business owners to large fleets.”

Canoo is accepting pre-orders for the two models now. Following the introduction of MPDV1 and MPDV2, Canoo is preparing to launch the MPDV3, a Class 3 truck. The company is expected to go public by the end of the year through a merger with Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp IV, a special purpose acquisition corporation (SPAC).