The US Department of Defense decided to test CANOO electric minivans. The US Army is interested in similar mobile vehicle technologies.
The transition of the automotive industry to electric vehicles has aroused the interest of governments around the world in this technology. Governments need vehicles for various purposes, including for the military. Electric vehicles represent a radical change in the way warfare is conducted, and future battlefields could be filled with Canoo electric vehicles if the new army contract ever bears fruit.
CANOO will supply the US Army with an electric vehicle for analysis and demonstration.
The U.S. Army is exploring how it can use this technology in military operations, troop transportation, and more. The US Army is interested in the scalable and adaptable capabilities of the technology, as well as how they will work for military purposes.
“This is another opportunity to show the world our patented technology that can be customized and adapted for different use cases and special environments,” said Tony Aquila, investor, chairman, and CEO of CANOO.
This is not the company’s first collaboration with the US government. Last month, the company debuted its vehicle for NASA, which is not much different from the CANOO Lifestyle Vehicle. This new transporter is part of NASA’s Artemis project to return astronauts to the moon. Canoo had to design a vehicle capable of carrying not only four astronauts, three additional crew members, and a driver, but also five bags for equipment, four cooling devices, and a bag for carrying pillows. CANOO has a deadline for the delivery of all cars — June 2023.
CANOO is not the only automaker interested in military contracts. GM Defense, which oversees General Motors’ military products, has announced the creation of a prototype reconnaissance vehicle with electric lighting. The vehicle will borrow components from the GMC Hummer EV, such as the frame, electric motors, and Ultium batteries while meeting the specifications and needs of the military.
