Canoo, a Seven-Year-Old Electric Vehicle Startup, Files for Bankruptcy

Canoo, a startup that has been in the electric vehicle industry for seven years, has recently filed for bankruptcy and announced that it will be ceasing operations immediately. The company is currently liquidating its assets in a Chapter 7 proceeding in the Delaware Bankruptcy Court.

The decision to file for bankruptcy came after Canoo was unsuccessful in securing funding from foreign sources of capital. Additionally, the company highlighted its inability to secure funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Program Office as a contributing factor to its financial struggles.

In the bankruptcy filing, Canoo disclosed that it owes money to fewer than 49 creditors, with outstanding liabilities ranging between $10 million and $50 million. The company also reported having less than $50,000 in assets.

This move follows Canoo’s recent decision to furlough its employees and idle its factory in Oklahoma. Throughout 2024, the company faced challenges in delivering its electric vans to customers and experienced multiple executive departures. By mid-November, Canoo had only $700,000 left in its bank account.

Canoo is not the only electric vehicle startup to face bankruptcy after merging with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). Other companies such as Electric Last Mile Solutions, Fisker, Lordstown Motors, Proterra, Lion Electric, and Arrival have also filed for bankruptcy protection in recent years.

Founded in late 2017, Canoo was initially known as Evelozcity and was established by a group of executives who had previously worked at Faraday Future. The company developed a modular electric vehicle platform capable of powering cabins in various sizes and shapes, incorporating advanced technologies like a steer-by-wire system.

Despite initial promise, Canoo underwent several pivots after going public and brought in a new chairman and CEO, Tony Aquila. Under Aquila’s leadership, the company shifted its focus towards commercial fleets and repeatedly changed its strategy regarding vehicle production.

While Canoo’s bankruptcy filing marks the end of its journey in the electric vehicle industry, it serves as a cautionary tale for other startups seeking to navigate the challenges of merging with SPACs and securing funding in a competitive market.