Canoo

THE ELECTRICS ARE COMING! THE ELECTRICS ARE COMING! Or so many in the automotive industry keeps saying. It must be true when ever Elon rolls out his latest Vaporware people are crashing servers trying to fork over their deposits. Hell Ford is working on an electric F150! If that wasn't evidence enough I read an article today (March 12th) that demand for the Mach E is such that Ford is fighting with dealerships over marking them up tens of thousands over sticker! The Mach E has been getting great reviews across the board with Teslas current build quality woes and Fords long established "quality" it shouldn't be surprising. Say what you will about Ford build quality but I've never heard of even their lowest offerings loosing bumpers in the rain or roofs flying off on the freeway fresh off the showroom floor. Will electrics really take over? Personally I think they will, why? Hell even Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in Hydrogen. That should tell you something. Yes, serious automotive journalists have pointed to our aged and mismanaged utilities as evidence we just don't have the infrastructure to accommodate Electrics. I disagree. Not with the math or the fact our utilities and infrastructure suck mind you. I disagree with the notion that an electric future is improbable or even that far off simply because of the current state of Infrastructure. Sure it may be an issue now but wasn't this also once true for gas cars? As in all things, the more gas cars hit the road, the more gas stations sprang up and refineries were built to fill the need. Why wouldn't electrics drive the renovation of our power infrastructure the same?

While I love the sound and fury of a combustion engine as much or more than the next guy, what attracts me to electrics isn't whats new. It's not the speed or instant torque. It's not even the idea of efficiency and less pollution. With Canoo at least what excites me about the electrification of the automobile are two main things.

One.Watching Canoos hype videos, their future seems bright. I maybe foolishly like the idea they seem to be focused on a more utilitarian family/industrial style vehicle than anyone else. A modular chassis is their foundation, engine suspension packages bolt and plug in then a few different bodies bolt right on. No steering, shift, drive or break linkages to gum up the works. Hypothetically it sure seems simple. It may not sound like a new idea but no company has yet to master this ideal in the same way. Canoo is saying their Skateboard chassis is designed to be a separate component, adjustable at time of manufacture.If the video is to be believed. It looks to not only be adjusting in overall length but wheel base as well. In their videos it shows the chassis accommodating a Van, a truck, a sedan and then scaling ever larger to accommodate their industrial and delivery options. From highway commuters to off road "Adventure Vehicles". They show the different bodies just bolting on to the chassis hard points and its off to interior. While I rather like Canoos proposed styling, yes even the cab forward pick up truck.The insane customizability Canoo touts with their delivery vans is what has me the most excited. Maybe not so shockingly to long term readers, I found myself drawn to the larger delivery options. Seeing the food truck, delivery and vender options had me geeking out. The wall of lockers version was especially cool. I found myself imagining rolling one of these mobile pop up shops into a car show and having folks picking up their pre orders from the waiting locker side. While I shoot the breeze with you all and slang merch out the other side. How cool would that be? Later in the industrial vehicle video seeing the really Long wheel base high roof option, I almost swooned. I've long dreamed of owning a full electric RV and it looks like one of Canoos larger delivery type offerings could easily be it. I'd take their longest wheel base highest roofline delivery with two AWD motors and lifted off-road suspension at each end to start please! Yes I'd want to incorporate as many solar panels as possible and a gas generator strong enough to make it a hybrid.Outfit the interior with a Mid century modern style interior and I'd be set to explore in style! Damn that would be kick ass.

Two. The second thing about Canoos videos that had me excited was the possible revival of an almost dead idea. It all hinges on that customizable skateboard. Uncle Elon and others have long touted the idea of electric cars having an ever customizable chassis or skateboard simplifying the manufacturing of their vehicles to fit the buyers lifestyle. But the truth is they have then incorporated it into a unibody structure... What the hell? where'd the skateboard go? Have you ever wondered the guys gut Teslas and Nissan leafs and other current electric vehicles instead of simply unbolting the stock body from the chassis like a VW bug and work from there? Thats why, they can't. If Canoos videos are to be believed and their skateboard is truly stand alone it could itself be game changer.

Think about it the possibilities this independent electric chassis opens up... Again, the Canoo Video shows an independent chassis containing the battery packs and computers. presumably the wheel base is set then motors and suspension of choice are bolted in place and then plugged in. If Canoos version truly remains an independent component that the bodies bolt on to, like the first VW beetles and the steering pedal sets just plug in to the chassis. Well, want rear drive? No sweat move that motor suspension set to the back and there you go burn out king! Prefer front drive? Well slide the motor to the hard points in front then weirdo! Feeling adventurous or just too dumb to move away from the snow? AWD with two and motors it is for you sir! If Canoo truly is building independent chassis and all the parts and computers that control them are integrated into that package as their video shows.. . This could open up the revival of an almost lost industry. Bespoke body manufacturers. If you go back in time, before Henry came along with his Ford. Folks bought chassis from companies like Packard, Cord or Rolls Royce and then reached out to Artisans and stylists to build them bespoke bodies in the fashion of the day. I couldn't help watching the videos of the bodies bolting on to the chassis and the steering pedal sets wooshing around from sedan to van to delivery locations...How amazing would it be if something like this allowed those style houses to return! if the idea of a completely bespoke body doesn't get you excited having a truly stand alone electric chassis sure would make converting classic gas vehicles easier. The limiting factor would be the modification of the floorpan to channel it over the skateboard.

So welcome to the the Fray Canoo keep that chassis a separate bolt on off component and you'll have me rooting for you!

James

The Lowered HMFIC