Walmart says it has signed a definitive agreement with Canoo to purchase 4,500 all-electric delivery vehicles, beginning with the Lifestyle Delivery Vehicle (LDV), with the option to purchase up to 10,000 units.
The vehicles will be used to deliver online orders in a more sustainable way, which will contribute to Walmart’s goal to achieve zero emissions by 2040, the company says. While the LDV is expected to begin hitting the road in 2023, the companies say they plan to kick off advanced deliveries to refine and finalize vehicle configuration in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex in the coming weeks.
Canoo says its fully electric Lifestyle Delivery Vehicle (LDV) is built on a proprietary multi-purpose platform (MPP) architecture that integrates the motors, battery module and other critical driving components. The LDV has a last-mile delivery optimized cabin and customized cargo space. Canoo is utilizing “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 company says.
The LDV is has a customized interior is designed for small package delivery, at competitive per-stop economics, Canoo says. The modular design and 120 cubic feet cargo volume are adaptable to evolve with customer needs which contributes to a decreasing per unit investment over time, the company adds.
Canoo’s electric vehicles will be driven by Walmart associates and used to deliver online orders, from groceries to general merchandise, as well as the potential to be used for Walmart GoLocal, the retailer’s delivery-as-a-service business.
In addition to dedicated fulfillment centers, Walmart uses 3,800 of its stores, which are located within 10 miles of 90% of the U.S. population, to fulfill online orders. The retailer does this using a combination of Walmart associates, independent contractors driving on the Spark Driver Network, third-party delivery service providers, and in some locations, autonomous vehicles and drones, to make deliveries. Through its expansive last mile delivery network, Walmart says it can reach 80% of the U.S. population with same-day delivery on a growing assortment of items.
Canoo anticipates starting production of the Lifestyle Delivery Vehicles beginning in Q4, 2022.
