Electric vehicle start-up Canoo has modified its electric bakkie for the US Army, making it bulletproof for army operations. Only several months ago the company was running out of cash and the prospects looked grim. Since July, however, things have turned around and they now have this Army contract, plus an order from Walmart for 4,500 EVs the company will use for deliveries.
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The company has now shared an update on its contract with the Pentagon, saying that it had delivered its first prototype of its new Light Tactical Vehicle to the army. Called the LTV for short, it is a modified version of Canoo’s electric bakkie. In the announcement, Canoo has said that it incorporated carbon Kevlar to make the vehicle more durable without increasing its weight. It can also be converted from a bakkie to a flatbed truck, which allows it to carry construction material and tactical equipment.
The LTV also includes a stealth configuration (whatever that means). The electric bakkie is all-wheel drive and produces around 600 horsepower. It also features air springs, a raised suspension system and 32-inch tires to make it fit for traversing difficult terrain. It has a range of around 320km and can carry a maximum payload of about 800kg.
The Kevlar body armour has been included to protect against rifle fire, with the body panels also including thick metal plates or porcelain pieces.
The current contract is only worth $67,500 to deliver the prototype, but if it is successful there could be a much more lucrative contract awarded for many more vehicles.
Canoo said the purpose-built vehicle for the Army is designed to be durable in extreme environments, with a focus on passenger and battery safety. The company describes the LTV as a “jack-of-all-trades” with a convertible flatbed platform that can carry standard-sized plywood, tactical equipment and construction and oversized materials.
“The LTV is another milestone proving the power of our technology and how it can be used, even in tactical situations,” Canoo Chairman and CEO Tony Aquila said in a statement. “This is a winning algorithm for our customers and company.”
