Walmart places major electric delivery vehicles order with Canoo

Walmart has inked a deal to buy 4,500 all-electric delivery vehicles, beginning with the Lifestyle Delivery Vehicle (LDV), from Canoo.

The retailer also has an option to purchase up to 10,000 units as part of its goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

While the LDV is expected to begin hitting the road in 2023, the companies plan to kick off deliveries to refine and finalise vehicle configuration in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex in the coming weeks.

“We are proud to have been selected by Walmart, one of the most sophisticated buyers in the world, to provide our high tech, all-electric, American made Lifestyle Delivery Vehicle to add to their impressive logistics capabilities,” says Tony Aquila, Investor, Chairman and CEO at Canoo.

“Our LDV has the turning radius of a small passenger vehicle on a parking friendly, compact footprint, yet the payload and cargo space of a commercial delivery vehicle. This is the winning algorithm to seriously compete in the last mile delivery race, globally.”

"Walmart's massive store footprint provides a strategic advantage in today's growing 'Need it now' mindset and an unmatched opportunity for growing EV demand, especially at today's gas prices."

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.

"We're thrilled to continue diversifying our last mile delivery fleet with Canoo's unique and sustainably focused all-electric technology which will provide our associates with safe, ergonomic delivery vehicles," says David Guggina, Senior Vice President of Innovation and Automation, Walmart U.S.

"Today, the closest Walmart to customers is right in their pockets – it's the Walmart app. By continuing to expand our last mile delivery fleet in a sustainable way, we're able to provide customers and Walmart+ members with even more access to same-day deliveries while keeping costs low."

Electric vehiclesStaff WriterWalmart, Canoo, Electric vehicles, Online delivery, Omnichannel retail, Green retail, Sustainability, Net Zero, US retailComment