Hyundai & Canoo to Co-Develop Electric Platform for Future EVs

Hyundai has engaged Canoo to jointly develop an electric platform based on Canoo’s proprietary skateboard design for upcoming Hyundai and Kia EVs

Hyundai Motor Group and Canoo have announced that Hyundai has engaged Canoo to jointly develop an electric platform based on Canoo’s proprietary skateboard design for upcoming Hyundai and Kia EVs.

As part of the collaboration, Canoo will provide engineering services to help develop a fully scalable, all-electric platform to meet Hyundai and Kia specifications. Hyundai expects the platform to help facilitate its commitment to delivering cost-competitive electrified vehicles — ranging from small-sized EVs to Purpose Built Vehicles (PBV) — that meet diverse customer needs.

Canoo, a Los Angeles based company creating EVs for subscription only, offers a skateboard platform that houses the most critical components of the vehicle with a strong emphasis on functional integration, meaning all components fulfill as many functions as possible. This feat of engineering reduces the skateboard size, weight and the total number of parts, which ultimately provides more interior cabin space and a more cost-effective EV offering. In addition, a skateboard is a self-contained unit that can be paired with any cabin design.

“We have been working diligently to develop a bold new electric vehicle and partnering with a global leader like Hyundai is a validating moment for our young company,” said Ulrich Kranz, in charge of Canoo. “It is a real honour for us to help Hyundai explore EV architecture concepts for their future models.”

Hyundai Motor Group expects an adaptable all-electric platform using Canoo’s scalable skateboard architecture to allow for a simplified and standardised development process for Hyundai and Kia electrified vehicles, which is expected to help reduce the cost that can be passed along to consumers. Hyundai Motor Group also expects to reduce the complexity of its EV assembly line, allowing for rapid response to changing market demands and customer preferences.

With this collaboration, Hyundai Motor Group doubles down on its recent commitment to invest USD 87 billion USD over the next five years to foster future growth. As part of this drive, Hyundai plans to invest USD 52 billion USD in future technologies through 2025, while Kia will invest USD 25 billion USD in electrification and future mobility technologies, aiming for eco-friendly vehicles to comprise 25 percent of its total sales by 2025.

“We were highly impressed by the speed and efficiency in which Canoo developed their innovative EV architecture, making them the perfect engineering partner for us as we transition to become a frontrunner in the future mobility industry,” said Albert Biermann, Head of Research & Development, Hyundai Motor Group. “We will collaborate with Canoo engineers to develop a cost-effective Hyundai platform concept that is autonomous ready and suitable for mass adoption.”