The Telo MT1: A Small Electrical Truck That Makes Sense
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Ever tried parking a full-size pickup in a crowded metropolis lot? It’s about as enjoyable as threading a needle whereas sporting oven mitts. That’s why the brand new Telo MT1 electrical truck seems like such a breath of contemporary air. This little powerhouse packs severe functionality right into a package deal the dimensions of a Mini Cooper, and it would simply be the city truck many people have been ready for.
Designer: Telo
Small Truck, Massive Concepts
The MT1 began with a easy query: Why are American vehicles so darn enormous? Jason Marks, Forrest North, and Yves Behar – the trio who based Telo Vans in 2022 – seemed on the bloated pickup market and noticed a chance. What in the event that they constructed a truck that might truly slot in a typical parking area however nonetheless haul your stuff?
“Most individuals who personal vehicles not often fill the mattress to capability,” Marks defined in the course of the current prototype unveiling. “They simply want to often transfer furnishings, carry bikes, or haul provides for weekend initiatives. We constructed the MT1 for real-world use.”
The numbers inform the story: At simply 152 inches lengthy, this electrical pickup is 5 ft shorter than a Toyota Tacoma. But it nonetheless seats 5 adults comfortably and sports activities a correct 5-foot mattress. That’s good packaging, plain and easy.
Intelligent Options, Not Rocket Science
What makes the MT1 work isn’t fancy know-how – it’s considerate design. Take the midgate, for instance. Want to hold one thing longer than the mattress? Simply fold down the wall between the cab and mattress, and all of a sudden, you’ll be able to match full sheets of plywood or a few surfboards. It’s not a brand new thought (the outdated Chevy Avalanche had one thing related), nevertheless it makes good sense right here.
Then there’s what Telo calls the “Monster Tunnel”—principally a giant cupboard space that runs beneath the truck backward and forward. It’s good for stashing instruments, sports activities gear, or something you don’t need uncovered within the mattress. Once more, it’s not revolutionary, however it’s genuinely helpful.
Because of some intelligent methods, the cab itself feels surprisingly roomy. The seats have a floating design in order that rear passengers can slide their ft beneath, and the cab-forward format maximizes inside area. Throughout a current demo, a 6’5″ journalist match comfortably in each entrance and rear seats—not dangerous for such a small truck.
Sensible Energy
Underneath the pores and skin, the MT1 gives two easy choices: a single-motor rear-wheel drive setup with 300 horsepower or a dual-motor all-wheel drive model with 500 horsepower. Both method, you get loads of punch – the dual-motor model scoots from 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds.
Battery selections are equally easy: a typical pack is nice for about 260 miles, or an even bigger 106-kWh battery stretches the vary to over 350 miles. Quick charging will get you from 20% to 80% in roughly half an hour.
The truck weighs about 4,400 kilos—heavier than a automobile however considerably lighter than different electrical vehicles, which usually weigh 6,000-7,000 kilos. This comparatively trim determine helps with each vary and dealing with.
Maybe most spectacular is the MT1’s sensible functionality. It might tow as much as 6,600 kilos and carry a payload of between 1,600 and a couple of,000 kilos in its mattress. That’s severe utility from such a small package deal.
Constructed Good
Telo didn’t reinvent the wheel with the MT1’s building, however they made some good selections. The chassis combines aluminum with strategic use of carbon fiber in areas the place area is tight, just like the entrance firewall and wheel wells. This strategy retains weight down whereas sustaining energy.
The inside feels fashionable with out being flashy. There are screens for devices and infotainment, but additionally bodily controls for widespread capabilities. Supplies embrace cork and different sustainable choices, however the general vibe is sensible quite than showy.
With 10 inches of floor clearance, the MT1 can deal with tough roads and lightweight trails with out drama. It’s not constructed for rock crawling, nevertheless it’ll get you and your gear to that distant campsite simply advantageous.
From Drawing Board to Driveway
On March 6, 2025, Telo confirmed off its first working pre-production prototype—a significant milestone for any automotive startup. To construct these early fashions, Telo has partnered with Aria Group in California. Aria has expertise creating automobiles for motion pictures and limited-production runs, making it a great match for Telo’s present wants.
The trail to your driveway nonetheless has some hurdles, although. Telo plans to ship the primary buyer vehicles in 2026, beginning with about 100 automobiles that first 12 months. In accordance with firm statements, they’ll must promote round 5,000 yearly to grow to be worthwhile.
Up to now, about 5,000 individuals have put down a $152 reservation price (cute contact – that matches the truck’s size in inches). That’s encouraging however modest in comparison with the reservation numbers for vehicles from established manufacturers.
What It’ll Price You
Let’s speak cash. The bottom single-motor MT1 with the usual battery begins at $41,520. Need the dual-motor setup? Add about $4,500. The larger battery prices one other $3,980. So, a totally loaded dual-motor model with the long-range battery will run just below $50,000.
That’s not low cost for a small truck, nevertheless it’s about half of what you’d pay for a Tesla Cybertruck. It additionally undercuts Ford’s E-Transit industrial EV, which begins at round $51,000 however gives much less within the vary. Federal tax incentives may carry the worth down additional for some consumers.
Telo sees its buyer as somebody who lives within the metropolis however escapes on weekends—the city dweller who sometimes must haul stuff however doesn’t need to drive a monster truck every day. This area of interest presently has few choices within the American market.
The Actual-World Take a look at
Early take a look at drives of the prototype have been promising. The MT1’s small dimension makes it a breeze to maneuver in tight areas – you’ll be able to truly see all 4 corners from the driving force’s seat, a rarity in fashionable vehicles. The electrical powertrain delivers speedy response, and the low middle of gravity (due to the floor-mounted battery) helps it really feel planted on the highway.
“It drives like a automobile however works like a truck,” mentioned one take a look at driver. “You overlook it’s a pickup till you want to haul one thing.”
The suspension balances consolation with functionality – it’s not too harsh for every day commuting however agency sufficient to deal with a loaded mattress. Regenerative braking permits largely one-pedal driving, making stop-and-go site visitors much less of a chore.
Bumps within the Highway
In fact, bringing a brand new car to market isn’t simple. Telo faces some severe challenges earlier than the MT1 turns into a typical sight on our roads.
Cash is the large one. Whereas Telo has secured preliminary funding, making vehicles requires mountains of money. The corporate hasn’t totally defined the way it’ll finance full manufacturing. They’ll additionally must construct a gross sales and repair community, which is not any small activity for a startup.
Security considerations exist, too. Some marvel if such a small truck can shield occupants in a collision with bigger automobiles. Telo says they’re conducting crash checks and have designed particular crumple zones, however they’ll must show the MT1’s security to win over skeptical consumers.
Then, there’s the easy incontrovertible fact that Individuals love huge vehicles. Convincing them to downsize could be the hardest problem of all, whatever the sensible advantages.
A Truck That Makes Sense
The Telo MT1 isn’t attempting to be all issues to all individuals. It received’t exchange heavy-duty work vehicles or fulfill those that equate car dimension with private standing. As a substitute, it gives a smart various for individuals who want occasional utility with out the every day hassles of piloting an outsized car.
“We’re not saying everybody ought to drive a small truck,” says Marks. “We’re simply saying that for many individuals, particularly in city areas, the MT1 makes extra sense than the large pickups that dominate at the moment’s market.”
Suppose Telo can navigate the treacherous waters of automotive manufacturing and produce the MT1 to market as deliberate. In that case, they could assist resolve a number of issues directly: city congestion, parking nightmares, extreme useful resource consumption, and the dearth of right-sized utility automobiles in America.
The MT1 seems like a truck designed for the way individuals reside quite than how they think about themselves dwelling. It’s sensible, succesful, and sensibly sized. Whether or not that’s sufficient to reach a market that usually prioritizes picture over practicality stays to be seen, however the MT1 deserves an opportunity to show itself on our roads.
As one journalist put it after driving the prototype: “It simply is sensible. And within the truck world, that feels surprisingly contemporary.”
