NASA and USPS stop using Canoo EVs despite CEO’s pledged support

NASA and the United States Postal Service (USPS) have officially halted their use of electric vans manufactured by the now-defunct startup Canoo. This decision comes despite earlier commitments from Canoo's former CEO to support these vehicles. In 2023, NASA acquired three Canoo electric vans intended for transporting astronauts to the launchpad during its Artemis missions aimed at lunar exploration. However, the space agency has since indicated that Canoo could not meet its operational requirements. As of October, NASA has shifted its focus to leasing the Airstream-built 'Astrovan' from Boeing, a vehicle originally commissioned for crewed space missions. Meanwhile, USPS announced that the six Canoo vehicles it had purchased for evaluation in 2024 are no longer in use. The postal service stated that the evaluation process has concluded, and they do not foresee any further investment in Canoo’s technology. Before its bankruptcy, Canoo had also supplied at least one demonstration vehicle to the Department of Defense (DoD), but the DoD has not disclosed whether it continues to utilize the van. Canoo filed for bankruptcy in January 2025, following years of financial difficulties and an inability to carve out a market for its electric vans. Shortly thereafter, former CEO Tony Aquila made a $4 million offer for the company's assets, citing a desire to fulfill Canoo's commitment to support government programs as a major motivation. Both NASA and USPS have not confirmed whether Aquila reached out to them regarding support for the vehicles. Requests for comments from Aquila and his legal representative went unanswered. The bankruptcy judge approved Aquila's acquisition of Canoo's assets in April, but he wasn't the only interested party. Up to eight potential buyers had signed non-disclosure agreements to evaluate Canoo's intellectual property and prototypes. One notable contender was Harbinger, a California-based electric trucking firm established by former Canoo employees. Another was a financier from the U.K. named Charles Garson, who expressed willingness to offer up to $20 million for Canoo’s assets. However, due to timing issues, Garson's bid was ultimately disregarded. The trustee and Canoo's lawyers argued that Aquila's bid was the most solid, raising concerns that other bidders might have faced complications with U.S. foreign investment regulations due to their ownership structures, particularly given existing contracts with NASA and the USPS. Neither Harbinger nor Garson provided comments on the situation.