Skip advert
Advertisement

Hyundai and Canoo to develop new electric car platform

Los Angeles-based technology company Canoo has been chosen to help Hyundai develop its new, scalable electric architecture.

Hyundai Canoo skateboard platform

Hyundai Motor Group has confirmed it will jointly develop a new, all-electric car platform with the Los Angeles-based technology company, Canoo. The new platform will underpin a fresh range of compact Hyundai and Kia EVs, giving the Korean giant new models to challenge the likes of the Skoda Citigo iV and Renault ZOE.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The new electric architecture will be based on Canoo’s existing scalable “skateboard” platform, which already houses the major EV-specific components such as an electric motor and battery pack. Hyundai hopes this decision will allow for a simplified development process, easier assembly and – most importantly – a lower vehicle price for the consumer. 

Best electric cars on sale now

As well as underpinning a handful of compact passenger vehicles, Hyundai’s latest electric platform will also feature under a range of new “Purpose Built Vehicles”. This class includes vehicles such as compact last-mile delivery vans and autonomous urban mobility pods. Hyundai unveiled its first PBV – an autonomous urban vehicle, styled to look like a San Francisco cable car – at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show.

This latest collaboration has seen the Hyundai Motor Group double its investment into product development. Over the next five years, the company plans to spend $87 billion (around £67 billion) on future powertrains, platforms and vehicles. $25 billion (roughly £19 billion) will be allocated to Kia, which aims for ‘eco-friendly’ vehicles to comprise 25 percent of its sales by 2025.

Hyundai and Kia have already confirmed they will have 38 green cars in their line-ups by the mid-2020s, including 14 EVs. Premium brand Genesis is expected to launch its first electric car next year, while the group will continue the development of its hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to supplement its existing Hyundai Nexo SUV.

Hyundai and Canoo’s co-developed EV underpinnings will also be joined by a separate Hyundai Group dedicated electric car platform, that will give the Korean company a host of fresh rivals for Volkswagen’s range of MEB-based vehicles.

What do you make of the Hyundai Group’s latest electric car platform? Let us know in the comments section below… 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs
Best electric car deals - header image

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs

Making the switch to an EV? These car brands have an offer (or two) for you
Best cars & vans
28 Apr 2025
What is Hyundai N? Past, present and future of the Korean performance brand
Auto Express consumer reporter Tom Jervis standing next to a Hyundai N racing car

What is Hyundai N? Past, present and future of the Korean performance brand

We follow Hyundai's N brand from Namyang to the Nurburgring
Features
10 Apr 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
8 Apr 2025
Hyundai’s N division isn’t axing petrol hot hatchbacks just yet
Hyundai i20 N - front action

Hyundai’s N division isn’t axing petrol hot hatchbacks just yet

Performance division’s VP says that it’s “not true” that the brand is going EV-only, hinting at hybrid-powered models to come
News
4 Apr 2025

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025
New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal
Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Match - front

New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal

The value-focused Volkswagen ID.3 Match performs well and is easy to live with
Road tests
28 Apr 2025