Philippa Kaur

Tesla
At Tesla’s Battery Day event on Tuesday, CEO Elon Musk announced that the long-rumored Model S Plaid is now available to order, with deliveries beginning in late 2021. The Model S Plaid has its fair share of superlatives in a seemingly obvious dig at rivals like the Porsche Taycan and the recently revealed Lucid Air: A range of over 520 miles, a top speed of over 200 mph, a 0-to-60-mph time of under 2 seconds and a quarter-mile time of under 9 seconds. Tesla says the Plaid powertrain uses three electric motors and has more than 1,100 horsepower, but there aren’t many more details beyond that. Musk previously said the Plaid would set a new lap record at the Nürburgring, and prototypes were spied last year circling the track with enhanced aerodynamic bits, larger wheels with sticky tires, big brakes and other modifications. Musk has also said the Plaid car would have a battery pack larger than 100 kilowatt hours and mark the return of the Model S’ rear-facing third row of seats, although the latter seems to not yet have come true.
The only thing more insane than Ludicrous is Plaid. Arrives late 2021— Tesla (@Tesla) September 22, 2020

During the announcement a short video played showing a Plaid prototype with those same aero enhancements at the Laguna Seca race track. Musk said the Tesla team was at the track over the weekend and set a time of 1 minute, 30.3 seconds, adding that they expect to be able to chop a few more seconds off that time. That would make it one of the quickest production cars around Laguna Seca — of all time. More

Tesla
At Tesla Motors’ annual shareholder meeting and Battery Day 2020 event, CEO Elon Musk announced that the electric automobile manufacturer is preparing to release a private beta of the “full self-driving version” of its Autopilot driver-aid software in the coming months.”It’s kind of hard for people to judge the progress of Autopilot,” Musk told a crowd of shareholders present at the event, each social distancing in their own Tesla Model 3, drive-in style. “I’m driving a bleeding edge, alpha build of Autopilot, so I sort of have insight into what is going on.”

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Musk went on to explain how Tesla’s engineers recently had to overhaul major parts of the Autopilot, including a rethinking of how the system sees the world.”We had to do a fundamental rewrite of the entire Autopilot software stack… We’re now labeling 3D video, which is hugely different from when we were previously labeling single 2D images,” Musk explained, referring to the way the Autopilot software understands what the objects it sees with its eight cameras are, and how it should react to them. “We’re now labeling entire video segments, taking all cameras simultaneously and labeling that. The sophistication of the neural net of the car and the overall logic of the car is improved dramatically.”Musk hinted that drivers may get a chance to experience this more sophisticated version of Autopilot soon. Tesla shareholders showed their socially distanced approval by honking the horns of their individual Model 3s.
Tesla
“I think we’ll hopefully release a private beta of Autopilot — the full self-driving version of autopilot — in, I think a month or so? And then people will really understand the magnitude of the change,” said Musk adding, “It’s profound. You’ll see what it’s like, it’s amazing.”Attendees showed their approval for Musk’s promise by honking the horns of their safety bubbles.We’ll be keeping an eye out for this next-generation of Autopilot over the next few weeks. In the meantime, check out the rest of our coverage of Tesla Battery Day 2020 for more announcements and breaking news.  More

Audi/Ford/Nissan/Rivian
More and more electric cars are coming. Today, there may only be a baker’s dozen on sale, but over the next few years, the choices will grow tremendously. It’s a big switch from the traditional internal-combustion engine, but honestly, we’re excited for some great new cars that happen to run on battery power.To prove it, in this list, each of our editors picks the electric car they’re most excited about and explains why. We left it open to EVs already announced but awaiting launch, EVs we know only slivers of info about and some that are already sale today that await new variants. Be sure to let us know what EVs get you excited in the comments, too.

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Volkswagen
Volkswagen ID BuzzYes, in spite of a slew of sexy and high-power electric performance cars on the horizon, the EV launch I’m most excited about really is a minivan. But not just any minivan, I’m amped for the production version of the Volkswagen ID Buzz, the battery-powered revival of the brand’s legendary Type 2 Microbus.Due in 2022, VW’s electric Bus revival will hopefully get a better name, but even if it doesn’t, this charismatic-looking thing promises to provide guilt-free performance, flexible seating configurations and more utility than most SUVs.The ID Buzz is slated to be built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, riding atop VW’s MEB platform. Packing available all-wheel drive, gobs of tech, plenty of range (well over 300 miles) and wrapped in nostalgia-soaked looks, VW’s ID Buzz doesn’t just look like a winner, it has the potential to create a new vehicle category all by its lonesome.– Chris Paukert
Ford
Ford Mustang Mach-EThe upcoming electric vehicle I’m anticipating most is the Mustang Mach-E. Yeah, I get it, this is pretty low-hanging fruit, but hear me out. Not only is this vehicle a fashion-forward SUV, it has available all-wheel drive, should offer potent performance and is far more versatile than any vehicle that Ford’s ever put the Mustang name on before. It has the potential to be a truly groundbreaking new product and transform this hallowed nameplate in the 21st Century.As Tesla’s proven, there is a market for upscale, feature-rich EVs, something mainstream automakers have taken nearly a decade to figure out. Instead of building another boring hatchback with kidney bean-like proportions and utterly forgettable features, designers and engineers in Dearborn decided to do something different, to build an aspirational electric car. Like various Tesla models, the Mach-E is intended to show that battery-powered vehicles can be sporty, fun and interesting. One look at the specs sheet and it sure looks like they’ve succeeded. Another reason I’m excited about the Mach-E launch is because I want to see how the Mustang community reacts to such an “imposter.” Diehard fans were quick to decry this EV when it was unveiled late last year, and I’m sure their disdain has only grown during COVID-19 quarantine. Keep a bowl of popcorn handy, because once this thing starts showing up at dealerships and your local cars and coffee, there will be some heated discussions and likely a few epic tantrums.– Craig Cole
Tim Stevens/Roadshow
Polestar 2From a pure aesthetics standpoint, it’s hard for me to not be drawn in by the look of the Polestar 2. It’s handsome and simple, and while I wish it had more of a proper hatch on the back, inside and out it has the clean vibe that I’ve come to love about modern Volvos. It’s one of the few EVs that genuinely makes me look twice, and that’s doubly so thanks to the interior. It’s like slotting into a cool, relaxing cabin.Beyond aesthetics, that interior also is the first on the road to feature Android Automotive, which takes many of the concepts of Android Auto and effectively expands that to control the entire car’s interface. No more need to pair your phone, it’s Android all the way — maybe a little concerning if you’re not into Google, which I appreciate, but if you are, it’s amazing to just sign in to the car and have everything already there.But most importantly, this is just a great car. I’ve been lucky enough to spend a day in one and it’s quick, fun, comfortable, smooth and, of course, quiet. 275 miles of range is plenty for me. My only concern? The price. $60,000 is a little rich for my blood right now. Not to say that it’s not worth it, of course.– Tim Stevens
Hyundai
Hyundai Ioniq 6The Hyundai Prophecy EV concept has the look. Now, the Korean automaker has me hyped after announcing the Prophecy will indeed enter production as part of its spun-off Ioniq sub-brand. This sexy design will become the Ioniq 6, scheduled for launch in 2022. Crappy name, great-looking car.I’m basing my excitement on the hopes Hyundai designers find a way to keep the lovely bodywork just as stunning for production, but if recent Hyundai designs are any indicator, I think they’ll be successful. There’s just something refreshing about the Prophecy’s looks. Perhaps it’s the utter shunning of jagged angles and angry, slanted headlights. The Prophecy looks friendly, curvy and sort of like a 993-generation Porsche 911. It just looks good. I don’t know squat about the powertrain other than it will be totally electric. That was the only major criteria for this list.What’s even cooler, if Hyundai manages it, is that the Ioniq 6 should have suicide doors. This is actually a sedan, and the concept sports some killer doors that reveal a plaid-laden cockpit. If Hyundai wants its upcoming Ioniq division to snap some necks, I think the 6 is going to accomplish the mission with ease. Just don’t screw it up, please.– Sean Szymkowski
Rivian
Rivian R1TThe Rivian R1T is the first truck to get the full-EV treatment. What’s even better, the thing looks to be more than just a grocery getter with a bed. The biggest 180-kilowatt-hour battery is allegedly good for 400 miles of range and it boasts some fairly impressive off-road numbers.Ground clearance is a remarkable 14 and a half inches while approach and departure angles are 34.8 degrees and 30.5 degrees, respectively. Further, it can ford 42.7 inches of water. For those keeping score, those numbers beat the dirt-slaying Ford F-150 Raptor and its challenger the Ram 1500 TRX.While it still remains to be seen how the R1T will perform in the real world, its range should be enough for day trips into the wild. The design is pretty boss, too, with some cool pass-through storage behind the rear seats and a spare tire that hides neatly in the bed. It won’t go on sale until 2021 due to a coronavirus shutdown, but the company assures me it’s working to bring the R1T to consumers as soon as possible.– Emme Hall
Andrew Krok/Roadshow
Mercedes-Benz G-ClassI love the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen. Like, really love it. So when news broke that an electric version of the G would be coming within the next few years I got extremely excited. All the best parts of the G-Class without the horrible gas mileage? Sign me up.Sure, part of the G’s appeal is the burbly V8 and side-exit exhaust, but I think the SUV’s character will lend itself really well to EV power. A large battery pack should be a benefit to the G’s center of gravity too, thus making it a little less tippy in corners. While I don’t know any powertrain details yet, the electric G is sure to be as immensely good off-road as the normal one, and it will probably be the quickest version, as well. And if going electric can allow the G to continue on for decades to come, we should all be grateful.– Daniel Golson
Steven Ewing/Roadshow
Porsche MacanThe Porsche Macan is an outstanding midsize SUV. Porsche has already proven its EV prowess with the Taycan. It stands to reason, then, that a combination of the two should be pretty freakin’ righteous.While there’s still a whole lot I don’t know about the forthcoming Macan EV, I do know that it’s already in the works, and that it should arrive within the next year or two as part of the Macan’s generational overhaul.Moving the Macan to an electrified platform will be quite interesting for the segment as a whole. Will there be notable holdouts who continue to cater to gas-guzzling buyers, or will Porsche become a pioneer and set the course that everyone else follows? It’ll be an interesting few years to come.– Andrew Krok
Rivian
Rivian R1SThe R1S brings back the undeniably cool aesthetics of the Range Rover Classic with a modern twist and that’s a good thing. It’s also a reasonable size and the interior (at least on the prototype) is sensible and looks hard-wearing. That sensible thing is a big part of the attraction to Rivian, at least for me. There’s not much in the way of kooky concept stuff going on. It’s all practical and I could easily imagine living with one on a day-to-day basis.The R1S (and its R1T sibling) are exciting from an engineering standpoint. The way that Rivian has designed the battery pack and its enclosure as well as its ability to tank turn, etc., make it look like a beast off-road and also well-suited for bragging in the Whole Foods parking lot.– Kyle Hyatt
Audi
Audi E-Tron GTThough we’ve only seen the Audi E-Tron GT in concept form, it’s supposed to go into production by the end of 2020. The four-door sedan has quite a bit in common with the Porsche Taycan, which is a good thing, packing some slick looks and good dollop of performance.With a 90-kWh battery and pair of electric motors on each axle, Audi says the GT will pack a not-shabby-at-all 590 hp, capable of getting the four-door to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds. It’ll have wireless and 800-volt charging capabilities. When hooked up to the latter, it means adding 200 miles of range after just 20 minutes of charge time.And yes, I like the GT’s looks. The front end isn’t as rounded off as its Porsche counterpart with more defined lines. It’s hunkered down with a fast roofline and high beltline. The chunky taillights, meanwhile, have the Roadshow staff split. I personally think it looks all right but will reserve judgment until I see it in production form. — Jon Wong
Volvo
Volvo XC40 RechargeA compact SUV makes a lot of sense as an electric vehicle. It allows for better battery packaging without sacrificing passenger or cargo space. And as far as small SUVs go, the Volvo XC40 is definitely my favorite. That’s why I’m stoked about the upcoming XC40 Recharge.The XC40 Recharge will share a lot with its platform-sharing corporate sibling, the Polestar 2, and that’s no bad thing. It should be relatively quick, able to accelerate to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, and with a low center of gravity and Volvo’s already-great chassis and steering tuning, hopefully pretty nice to drive. Plus, it’ll have the same modern, high-quality interior as the standard XC40, not to mention Google’s new Android Automotive infotainment system, which is some seriously sweet tech.No, it won’t have crazy driving range — I’m guessing low-to-mid-200-mile stuff — but that’ll be plenty for most buyers. More importantly, it takes solid EV tech and puts it in a usable, stylish, premium package. I could totally see myself in one of these as a daily driver.– Steven Ewing
Nissan
Nissan AriyaOne look at the original Leaf tells you everything you need to know about Nissan’s EV designers: they’re insane. And they’re at it again with the upcoming Nissan Ariya. The electric SUV seamlessly blends angular and organic elements to create a look that is sure to polarize. Then again, the best designs often do. Personally, I love that there are so many weird and smart details to discover around the body. Meanwhile, the cabin is deceptively simple with a minimalist dashboard and illuminated buttons that disappear when deactivated.With optional all-wheel drive, a low center of mass due to its battery pack and 50:50 weight distribution, Nissan has a pretty good jumping off point for tuning the EV’s ride and performance. Two battery sizes will be offered — 63 and 87 kWh — with the larger good for an impressive 300 estimated miles per charge.EV shoppers will soon be spoiled for choice with a number of compact electric SUVs hitting the market in the around-$40,000 range in 2021, including the Volkswagen ID 4, Ford’s Mach E, Audi’s Q4 E-Tron and more. More choice and competition for affordable EVs can only be a good thing for consumers and for pushing electric cars into the mainstream. The Ariya will arrive to the party with very competitive range and style that certainly stands far apart from the rest of the pack when it begins production in late 2021.– Antuan Goodwin

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Lots of EVs on the way.
Kia
Kia on Tuesday revealed more information about what it calls “Plan S.” That’s Kia speak for its roadmap to a largely electric future. While we already knew a total of 11 electric cars are in the works, we now know seven of them are meant for the US. The Korean automaker teased the seven future EVs in a basic design sketch, above, but the middle vehicle is the focal point.This vehicle, codenamed “CV,” will launch next year and mark Kia’s first dedicated electric car. So far, the brand has outfitted vehicles designed with an internal combustion engine with batteries and electric motors. The Niro EV and Soul EV (we have it on good authority the latter isn’t meant for the US any longer) aren’t dedicated electric cars. A vehicle designed from the start as an EV can execute its mission far better, most of the time. That’s not to say the Niro EV and Soul EV are poor cars, but the CV should package all of the zero-emissions powertrain gear far better. Indeed, Kia mentioned its Electric Global Modular Platform will provide “best-in-class interior spaciousness” for the upcoming EVs in their respective segments.

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We can’t really tell what form the CV will take, since we only see the front view. It could be a sedan judging by this angle, but the greenhouse looks like it’s on the taller side. Perhaps it’s a hatchback. We just don’t know yet. If we’re taking a shot in the dark, the vehicle to the CV’s left is the next Niro EV. The car to its right appears sportier with a seriously short front overhang. The brand said it plans to spread these electric cars across “several” segments, so hopefully we don’t end up with a bunch of crossovers and SUVs.The cars come from a $25 billion investment Kia made into EVs earlier this year, but don’t expect them to all show up at once. The electric cars will gradually roll out through 2027.

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Watch out, world. The Vanderhall Navarro is coming.
Vanderhall
I love a company that can poke fun at itself, and this teaser that Vanderhall released Monday for its first four-wheeled vehicle, the Navarro, is hilarious. Touting the expansion of its manufacturing facility, the video starts by showing off a new off-road three-wheeler concept, followed by… well, I don’t want to ruin the surprise. Just watch the video real quick.
Pretty good, right? I don’t know much about the new Navarro except that it has an electric powertrain — perhaps similar to the one in the Edison — and is made for off-roading. “The four-wheel, all-electric, off-road Vanderhall Navarro will have many groundbreaking technologies and firsts for any production powersports model,” company COO Scott Bell said in a statement.From the teased silhouette I can see a short wheelbase that should make the Navarro pretty maneuverable. The wheels are pushed all the way to the corners which means the Navarro should, in theory, be able to climb over obstacles that might challenge a larger Jeep. There looks to be plenty of room between the meaty tires and the wheel wells, possibly speaking to a long-travel suspension kit, and I dig the door cutouts. This thing also looks wired to light up the night with an LED light bar and two LED cube lights on the front. Until now, Vanderhall has only ever built zippy little runabouts for paved roads. Available with both gasoline and electric powertrains, Vanderhall products are thought of as three-wheeled motorcycles, sometimes called autocycles. The driver and passenger sit side by side, and the autocycle has two wheels up front and one wheel in the rear.It may just be a silhouette, but there are a lot of clues as to the final form of the new Vanderhall Navarro.
Vanderhall
Roadshow reviewed the Edison and Venice models, finding them to be a mixed bag in terms of performance. They’re fun to drive and quirky as hell, sure, but also terrifying at highway speeds for those not used to the vulnerability that comes with driving what’s essentially a toy car with little to no protection for its occupants.Vanderhall promises it’ll release more information about the Navarro on Oct. 19, and the full specs and features will be released early next year. Preorders should begin next summer with the Navarro launching shortly thereafter as a 2022 model. 

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Four-wheel steering, crustacean style. 
GMC
General Motors is bringing back the Hummer, previously one of the thirstiest gas-guzzlers in its portfolio. This time, the Hummer is being dramatically reinvented as an electron-sipping truck under its GMC brand. On Monday, GMC announced that the much-anticipated electric truck’s release date will be Tuesday, Oct. 20. You may remember that the model was supposed to debut months ago, but its unveiling fell victim to the coronavirus pandemic.  What’s more, GMC has released a new teaser video showing one of the model’s key new off-road features, Crab Mode. In the video, you can see the rear tires turning at a fairly extreme angle. Thus far, the company isn’t providing any details as to the actual angle of that four-wheel-steering setup, but it looks to be enough to allow drivers to navigate around large obstacles instead of having to go over them. This isn’t the same as Rivian R1T and R1S’ Tank Turn mode. With four electric motors capable of sending power in different directions at the same time, Rivian’s Tank Turn mode allows the truck to spin on its own axis. Crab Mode is more of a side-stepping motion.
The same teaser video also reveals the truck’s infotainment screen, which clearly shows a special splash screen for Crab Mode, and the inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Not only will the Hummer be officially revealed on Oct. 20, GM has revealed that reservations will be accepted the same day. GM says that its Hummer EV will go big, offering 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 pound-feet of torque. Don’t get too excited about that torque number though. It’s more likely axle torque, not the SAE-approved spec we usually use when talking about twisting power. (Let Engineering Explained’s Jason Fenske tell you what we mean.) Regardless, GMC says that power will be enough to propel the big EV to 60 mph in 3 seconds flat. With the Hummer EV coming online, as well as the Rivian R1T, the Bollinger vehicles and whatever the Tesla Cybertruck ends up being, the electric truck wars are heating up. We can’t wait to see which truck ends up on top.

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Wireless management reduces the number 
GM
GM is sharing more information about its upcoming Ultium battery system, a potentially transformative technology that underpins the automaker’s future electric vehicles. On Wednesday, GM announced a new wireless battery management system (WBMS), which should improve scalability and simplify manufacturing, among many other things.Working with a company ironically called Analog Devices, Inc., GM has essentially figured out how to fit its battery packs with Wi-Fi. WBMS allows individual modules in the system to communicate through a wireless network instead of traditional cables. This reduces the amount of wiring needed in battery assemblies by up to 90%, which reduces weight, cost and results in cleaner, easier-to-build batteries. But that’s not all.

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WBMS is designed to help balance battery chemistry right down to individual cell groups for improved performance. Periodic health checks of the pack can also be conducted in real time as well, things that should improve the working lifespan of batteries. And once their usefulness in automotive applications is over, they can be reused, combined with other compatible battery packs to provide power to homes or other facilities.
GM
Beyond that, WBMS will provide greater scalability, making it easier for GM to offer a broad range of electric vehicles, everything from high-performance sports cars to family-friendly crossovers to heavy-duty trucks. And that’s exactly what the automaker plans to do. Shared battery components make it far simpler to bring vehicles to market since engineers don’t have to develop specific components for every make and model or put together new wiring systems for each vehicle application. Aside from enhanced scalability and reduced complexity, WBMS makes it easy to add new features as they become available in the future, something enabled via over-the-air updates. And if you’re worried about hackers accessing your future vehicle’s Ultium battery, don’t lose any sleep over this. Cybersecurity measures are baked right into GM’s latest automotive electrical architecture, called the Vehicle Intelligence Platform.Ultium is the future of GM and WBMS will be standard in every one of its vehicles that use this battery technology. When it launches, this should be the first nearly wireless battery management system used in production cars and trucks. 
The Cadillac Lyriq electric SUV is ushering in a new era at GM
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This skateboard platform is totally drivable.
Canoo
You know Canoo, that upstart EV company that’s developing a lozenge-shaped rolling lounge? Well, on Friday, the California-based company showed off a running, driving example of its skateboard platform for the first time. This integrated architecture is the foundation of its future products, starting with the Canoo — the car and company share the same name. This skateboard contains nearly all the vehicle’s vital components, including the motor, battery pack and suspension, but that’s not the end of it. “We incorporated into the skateboard 70% of all structural elements that are needed to fulfill an overall five-star crash rating,” Ulrich Kranz, the man in charge of Canoo, said while speaking on a webcast. Just like the company’s unconventional vehicle name, employees don’t have official titles, rather, they kind of just go by what they do. No matter what you call him, Kranz is an auto industry veteran who spent decades working at BMW.

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Incorporating most of the vehicle’s crash structure into the underlying platform is not something rivals are doing with their EV platforms, Kranz explained. This gives Canoo a competitive advantage because it doesn’t have to put nearly as much time, effort or research dollars into developing different vehicle bodies because the skateboard handles most of the forces in a wreck. This also means the Canoo platform itself can basically be driven around without anything on top. Just add a seat and away you go. Kranz said competing skateboards need some sort of cabin to be functional.Groovy, baby!
Canoo
Aside from copious amounts of simulation work, Canoo has already conducted more than 50 physical crash tests. Additional fine-tuning still needs to be done, but the fundamentals are finished and the vehicle, despite having such a flat face, should be extremely safe. Go-kartlike performance”It’s pretty much like a go-kart,” Kranz said, “because all the weight is very low. It really doesn’t move, it doesn’t roll at all [in corners].” This is believable because the floor looks like it’s scarcely a foot above the ground, something that was enabled by careful engineering. Similar to in a Ford Model T, composite transverse leaf springs front and rear support the vehicle and help keep everything compact. Further simplifying things, this somewhat old-school suspension design helps reduce the vehicle’s parts count since only two springs are required, rather than the four needed if coils were used.Providing strong performance is a rear-mounted electric motor. Rated at 300 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, it should be able to propel this Volkwsagen Microbus-shaped machine from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 6.3 seconds. The Canoo’s liquid-cooled, 80-kilowatt-hour battery pack provides an estimated driving range of 250 miles.
The Canoo features steer-by-wire tech, which means there’s no physical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels. This enabled engineers to give the vehicle a variable steering ratio, one that’s very quick at low speeds. Kranz said you can go lock-to-lock without moving your hands, something that should make it highly maneuverable, particularly in the urban environments the Canoo is intended for. Redundant electrical systems provide an extra level of safety since there’s no physical steering system.In addition to the Canoo, which representatives refer to as a lifestyle vehicle, the company is looking at launching a small delivery van that would be built atop the same skateboard platform, though it would use front-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive to provide more cargo space. That front motor, which is currently under development, is projected to provide more than 200 horsepower. According to Kranz, this delivery vehicle will be available a year after the launch of the first product. Beyond that, he said the company is also developing some sort of sports car, which should be on the road by 2025.Like and subscribe Unlike other automakers, Canoo is only offering vehicles via subscription, which seems kind of crazy, though its logic makes sense. “Today, the reality is 75% of consumers are not buying cars,” Kranz said, “They’re leasing cars.” People have grown accustomed to paying month to month for things like mobile phones and cable television, so why wouldn’t they be interested in doing the same with their cars, especially if they come with added benefits? Aside from the vehicle itself, a Canoo subscription includes maintenance, charging, insurance and a generous cap of 15,000 miles per year. Further sweetening the deal, the company handles DMV paperwork as well and there are no dealerships to contend with. Everything is bundled into one convenient bill, with no down payment or long-term commitment. “After one month, if you don’t like it you give it back,” Kranz said matter-of-factly.The Canoo’s interior is open and airy. 
Canoo
Of course, if you do enjoy your Canoo experience, just keep cutting a check each month. The maximum time the company projects it’d let a customer keep a particular vehicle in service is between 10 and 12 years, well down the road. Without any dealerships, signing up for a Canoo subscription will be done on the internet. Likewise, service partners will handle maintenance and repairs. Unfortunately, pricing has not been released yet, but according to Kranz, it will be very attractive. Being made largely of steel, the Canoo contains no exotic or expensive materials that would jack up the price, and it’s is intended to compete “in the mid segment of the passenger cars.” He noted the company might release pricing information next year, though more than 10,000 potential customers are already on a waiting list, so clearly its business model has its appeal. A step-by-step introductionThe Canoo is set to launch in the second quarter of 2022. The company will roll the car out city by city, not across the US all at once. Los Angeles will be the area to get the car, then other municipalities along the west coast. After that, the company plans to launch on the East Coast. Kranz said Canoo is doing it this way because around 15 cities in the US account for as much as 75% of electric vehicle sales.Aside from the subscription-based model, the Canoo’s quirky styling and airy cabin are certainly appealing. Looking like a lounge on wheels, all it’s missing is a jazz ensemble and a cocktail bar — nonalcoholic, of course. No word yet if either of these will be available as options. 
Canoo’s subscription-only EV isn’t as up a creek sans paddle as it might seem
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