Future Hyundai And Kia Electric Vehicles Will Be Based On Canoo's Platform

• Canoo is an EV startup based out of Los Angeles.
• It was founded by three former BMW executives.
• Hyundai aims for EVs to make up 25 per cent of its total sales by 2025.

Hyundai Motor Company has announced that it will tie up with EV startup Canoo to develop a new electric vehicle (EV) platform for upcoming Hyundai and Kia cars. The Korean giant will use Canoo’s modular skateboard (read below) platform as a base to develop a new chassis that will underpin future EVs. 

Canoo, formerly known as EVelozcity, is a Los Angeles based company, founded by three ex-BMW employees who were working with Faraday Future. The company recently rebranded to Canoo and announced that it will only operate on a subscription basis. The year 2021 will witness the first model from Canoo with the company aiming to go the autonomous route in the near future. 

Canoo will provide assistance to Hyundai for bringing up a new scalable, EV platform that can spawn anything from hatchbacks to Purpose Built Vehicles (PBV). The biggest perk of the skateboard platform is that it has fewer parts, thereby reducing weight and opening up more cabin space. Moreover, the Canoo skateboard is compatible with any sort of cabin design. 

Get latest updates on
the automobile community

Login Now

What Hyundai aims to gain from this is a cost-effective platform that is simple enough for modifications according to the fleeting market needs and customer preferences. Speaking on the occasion, Albert Biermann, Head of Research & Development, Hyundai Motor Group, said, “We will collaborate with Canoo engineers to develop a cost-effective Hyundai platform concept that is autonomous ready and suitable for mass adoption.”

Hyundai Motor Company has huge plans for the future with respect to EVs. Hyundai plans to invest USD52 billion while Kia will invest USD25 billion in electrification and future mobility. The carmaker is looking at EVs making up 25 per cent of its total sales by 2025.

What is a skateboard platform?

The skateboard platform is a new revolution in the EV space. As the name suggests, the platform resembles a skateboard with a near-flat floor, which houses the battery and other ancillaries. The standout feature of the skateboard platform is its versatility as it can be married to any cabin design. The skateboard also has fewer working parts as opposed to a normal chassis. For instance, the Canoo skateboard features steer-by wire eliminating the steering rack and other components. It also has traverse leaf springs that are mounted under the chassis resulting in a flatter chassis and more cabin room.