The retailer will be the first to receive Canoo’s Lifestyle Delivery Vehicle which is anticipated to begin hitting the road for Walmart deliveries in 2023.
Bentonville, AR – Walmart has signed a definitive agreement with Canoo, a high-tech advanced mobility company, to purchase 4,500 all-electric delivery vehicles. The vehicles will be used to deliver online orders in a sustainable way which will also contribute to Walmart’s goal to achieve zero emissions by 2040.
The LDV is expected to hit the road in 2023, but the companies plan to start advanced deliveries in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex in the coming weeks to refine and finalize vehicle configuration.
The LDV: Engineered for sustainable last-mile deliveries with improved driver ergonomics and safety
Canoo’s fully electric Lifestyle Delivery Vehicle (LDV) is an optimized commercial EV for sustainable last-mile delivery use cases. Like all Canoo vehicles, the LDV is built on a proprietary multi-purpose platform (MPP) architecture that integrates the motors, battery module, and other key driving components. The LDV has a last-mile delivery-optimized cabin and customized cargo space. Canoo is using true steer-by-wire technology, reducing moving parts and cabin intrusion, resulting in more usable interior space, better driver ergonomics, and the addition of a panoramic window to improve road visibility.
The LDV was designed for high-frequency stop-and-go deliveries and speedy vehicle-to-door drop-off, including grocery and food/meal delivery. Its customized interior is designed for small package delivery, making it a great choice for businesses looking for cost-effective transportation solutions.
“We are proud to have been selected by Walmart, one of the most sophisticated buyers in the world, to provide our high-tech, all-electric, American-made Lifestyle Delivery Vehicle to add to their impressive logistics capabilities. Our LDV has the turning radius of a small passenger vehicle on a parking-friendly, compact footprint, yet the payload and cargo space of a commercial delivery vehicle. This is the winning algorithm to seriously compete in the last mile delivery race, globally,” said Tony Aquila, Investor, Chairman and CEO of Canoo. “Walmart’s massive store footprint provides a strategic advantage in today’s growing ‘Need it now’ mindset and an unmatched opportunity for growing EV demand, especially at today’s gas prices.”
Expanding Walmart’s Last-Mile Delivery Fleet
Canoo’s electric vehicles will be driven by Walmart associates to deliver online orders, from groceries to general merchandise. They may also be used for Walmart GoLocal, the retailer’s delivery-as-a-service business.
“We’re thrilled to continue diversifying our last-mile delivery fleet with Canoo’s unique and sustainably focused all-electric technology which will provide our associates with safe, ergonomic delivery vehicles,” said David Guggina, senior vice president of innovation and automation, Walmart U.S. “Today, the closest Walmart to customers is right in their pockets – it’s the Walmart app. By continuing to expand our last-mile delivery fleet in a sustainable way, we’re able to provide customers and Walmart+ members with even more access to same-day deliveries while keeping costs low.”
Collaborating Close to Home
Canoo is committed to expanding its presence in Arkansas with its agreement with Walmart. Canoo’s selection of Bentonville, Arkansas, as its headquarters and Pryor, Oklahoma as the site for its U.S. manufacturing last year laid the foundation for creating thousands of technology and manufacturing jobs in the surrounding communities.
“We’re encouraged that by being located in close proximity to the Canoo headquarters, we have the advantage to collaborate and innovate in real-time as well as the opportunity to aid in the creation of manufacturing and technology jobs here in our home state of Arkansas,” added Guggina.
Canoo anticipates starting production of the Lifestyle Delivery Vehicles beginning in Q4, 2022.
