Hyundai And Canoo Team To Develop Skateboard-Based EV Platform
Los Angeles-based Canoo has teamed up with automaker Hyundai to help develop an all-electric platform for future Kia and Hyundai electric vehicles. This platform will be based on Canoo's own skateboard design, according to the company, which will help lower vehicle prices by simplifying and standardizing the development process. By using Canoo's skateboard architecture, Hyundai also expects to decrease the complexity of its electric vehicle assembly line.
Unlike Hyundai, Canoo isn't a household name and you've likely never heard of it before now. The California company specializes in 'unique' electric vehicles that are offered on a subscription basis. The idea is that consumers could skip the dealership by 'subscribing' for a car that they have access to 24/7 on a monthly basis.
Canoo has developed a proprietary 'skateboard' platform that contains the majority of an EV's critical components, according to the company. This design, among other things, increases the cabin size in the electric vehicles for what the company says is a 'cost-effective EV offering.' One key benefit to this platform is the skateboard's compatibility with any cabin design.
Under this new deal, Canoo will help Hyundai develop a 'fully scalable, all-electric platform' that will be used for everything from small electric vehicles to Purpose Build Vehicles (PBVs). The skateboard architecture will be at the heart of this platform, something that will help the automaker make quick changes as the market and consumer demand shifts.
Hyundai Motor Group's head of R&D Albert Bierman praised Canoo, saying:
We were highly impressed by the speed and efficiency in which Canoo developed their innovative EV architecture, making them the perfect engineering partner for us as we transition to become a frontrunner in the future mobility industry. We will collaborate with Canoo engineers to develop a cost-effective Hyundai platform concept that is autonomous ready and suitable for mass adoption.