Electric vehicle startup Canoo has announced that it will provide the United States Postal Service (USPS) with six examples of its LDV 190 this quarter.
The USPS is embarking on widespread electrification of its fleet and plans to have a fleet of more than 66,000 electric vehicles, of which at least 45,000 miles will be on the road through 2028. It has already announced that it will deploy 9,250 Ford E-Transites across the country and is also looking at Canoo as a supplier.
It’s unclear exactly why USPS and Canoo agreed to an initial order for six copies, but that’s probably all the Postal Service wants to look into the electric vehicle and its suitability as a delivery vehicle. Canoo says the cars it will supply to USPS “leverage [its] proprietary technologies to provide improved functionality, safety, and ergonomics. “
Read: USPS Deploys First Charging Stations for Ford E-Transits Fleet and Other Electric Vehicles
“The flexible platform features guide-by-wire generation and a unique low-profile suspension formula for an easily configurable right-hand drive formula while maintaining the desired ride and roll stability,” added Tony Aquila, Canoo’s lead CEO.
This is the first time Canoo has offered a handful of its vehicles to a major U. S. firm, as in July last year it provided NASA with three of its electric vehicles to serve as group delivery vehicles for the Artemis lunar missions.
Four months ago, Canoo reached an agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to identify a 500,000-square-foot plant in Oklahoma City that will employ 500 people. It will have a general and state-of-the-art line for vehicle meetings, complex robotics, a paint shop and a frame shop. Canoo also intends to build a battery plant in Pryor, Oklahoma.