Struggling EV startup Canoo has delivered its first electric pickup truck to the US military for “analysis and demonstration”. The companies Light tactical vehicle (LTV) is built on the same platform as Canoo’s Duplo toy-like EV prototype truck first unveiled in 2021.

In July, the Army announced it had awarded Canoo a $67,500 contract to produce a “new light-to-heavy battery electric vehicle (BEV) or serial hybrid wheeled electric vehicle, for government analysis and demonstration”, the military said. original request.

Founded in 2017 by two former Faraday Future employees, Canoo has developed multiple EV concepts, including a multi-purpose van and an electric truck. The company is also working on a lifestyle vehicle, selected by NASA to transport astronauts to the launch pad as part of the Artemis mission to the moon.

The LTV is a modular vehicle that can be transformed into a variety of configurations, including a flatbed truck, cargo vehicle, or mounted with racks, ramps, storage boxes, tents, or tactical systems. Canoo says the LTV is designed for “extreme environments and includes stealth configurations,” using carbon Kevlar for strength and durability.

“The LTV is another milestone that proves the power of our technology and how it can be used, even in tactical situations,” said Tony Aquila, Canoo Chairman and CEO, in a statement. “This is a winning algorithm for our customers and our business.”

The vehicle’s four-wheel drive powertrain is capable of producing 600 horsepower, with air springs, a raised suspension and 32-inch all-terrain tires to create increased ground clearance suitable for extreme or rugged conditions.

Whether Canoo gets the green light to put the LTV into production is a decision that now rests with the military. The company’s future may depend on winning a lucrative military contract given its current financial difficulties. Earlier this year, Canoo warned that it could soon run out of money if it failed to secure new investment. The company’s stock is currently trading at just over $1 per share.

The automaker has several EVs in the works, including the MPDV, a multi-purpose van, and the Canoo Pickup Truck. The toy-like truck showed how far Canoo is willing to push the microbus-style vehicle design it first debuted in 2019, which was originally going to be sold on a subscription-only basis.