US brand Canoo is paving the way for the UK launch of its futuristic electric vans with the opening of its first commercial operations.

Canoo’s expansion into the UK is a key milestone in its global growth strategy

The new site, located at the Bicester Motion automotive campus, marks the EV automaker’s first European location and will allow UK customers to experience and test-drive its right-hand-drive commercial electric vans.

Canoo debuted its line-up at this year’s Great British Fleet Event and is planning to launch its vehicles here from 2025.

The line-up includes the Lifestyle Delivery Vehicle (LDV) electric van – already successfully used by NASA, Walmart and the US postal service and available as a van in two sizes, the LDV190 and LDV130, and as a pickup truck.

Opening in October, the Bicester Motion site will serve as Canoo’s future operations, customer and activation centre, providing a base for its commercial efforts across the UK and Europe.

The firm said the UK is a global pioneer and leader in EV adoption with one of the most ambitious regulatory frameworks in the world; the ZEV mandate sets out OEM targets for 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold to be zero-emission by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035.

Canoo also pointed to the importance of the Government’s Plug-in Van Grant, which currently runs up to 31 March 2025 and offers up to £2,500 for small vans and £5k for large vans, available on eligible vehicles.

Tony Aquila, investor, executive chairman and CEO of Canoo, said: “Our expansion into the UK is a key milestone in our global growth strategy, enabling us to establish a local presence for our commercial customers to better serve their needs.”

He added: “The UK activation centre at Bicester Motion will allow us to leverage the local expertise while strengthening our commercial operations in this high-potential market that provides incentives including the Plug-in Van Grant to help the growing demand and reach the Government’s zero-emissions goals. We look forward to sharing more in the near future.”

Canoo said it will take a customer-centric approach to entering the UK market, focusing on configuration to meet the diverse and immediate needs of its commercial and government fleet customers. The strategy will include pilots followed by rollout of vehicles, and the company will work directly with customers to create solutions that meet their specific demands.

The EV maker added that the site, a 444-acre future mobility estate converted from a former WWII Royal Air Force base, was chosen due to the location’s history in automotive innovation, making it an ideal hub to showcase its electric vans and connected with a community of more than 50 automotive brands. The site also underscores the long-standing partnership between the US and the UK.

Daniel Geoghegan, CEO of Bicester Motion, said: “Over the last decade we have built a world-leading community for disruptive mobility leaders, manufacturers, innovators and change-makers who have a shared passion to deliver the mobility solutions we need for the future. It is clear that Canoo shares our vision, and we are pleased to provide them with a dedicated centre of excellence from which they can launch their UK operation and to establish another international marque at Bicester Motion.”