Hello, TELO! – CleanTechnica

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TELO Trucks took the wraps off its MT1 battery electric pickup truck for the first time in public on March 6, 2025. The Telo MT1 is about the size of a MINI but can carry objects up 8 feet in length with the tailgate up, thanks to a clever mid-gate similar to the one that debuted on the Chevy Avalanche several years ago. In a press release, TELO Trucks said the MT1 is the world’s most efficient mini pickup truck and is redefining what is possible in electric mobility today. As the electric vehicle landscape continues to evolve, TELO Trucks is defining a new category of pickup trucks that meets a significant market need for sustainability, size, and functionality across both consumer and fleet audiences. The TELO MT1 combines the most advanced battery technology into a compact footprint that is tailor made for urban environments. These capabilities in the size of a mini truck are only possible as an electric vehicle.

Those who snort at the idea of a four-door pickup truck that is just 152 inches (3,860 mm) long, 73 inches (1,855 mm) wide, and 66 inches (1,675 mm) high would do well to recall the Suzuki Samuari, a diminutive kei class 4WD offering that was wildly popular forty years ago. Today, there is an active and enthusiastic market for kei class pickup trucks in the US, even though they must be at least 25 years old before they can be imported legally. Not everyone needs a four-ton groundpounder (we’re looking at you, Elon). Some would really like a compact truck that does 85 percent of what today’s enormous pickemups do in a more efficient and maneuverable package.

The company’s press announcement focuses on its ability to accomplish the goals it announced last March after closing a $5.4 million strategic funding round by taking a uniquely interwoven approach to design, engineering, and manufacturing. The company continues to advance in the ever-evolving EV marketplace and has a rapidly growing waitlist of pre-orders thanks to its distinct design-led approach. TELO continues to prove that smart, human-centered innovation can drive the future of electric mobility, the company says.

At the heart of TELO’s first driveable pre-production vehicle is a thoughtfully designed, sustainably built interior that re-imagines what an electric truck should feel like. With design efforts led by renowned industrial designer and TELO co-founder Yves Béhar, TELO prioritized sustainability, comfort, and functionality throughout every element in the truck’s cabin that features sustainably sourced materials. The interior surfaces are crafted from biodegradable cork, a renewable, lightweight material that offers a luxurious feel while reducing environmental impact. Unlike other compact trucks, TELO’s innovative seat arrangement ensures rear passengers have the same legroom as a full-size five-seat crew-cab pickup truck, offering an unmatched balance of space efficiency and comfort. Beneath the load bed is what TELO calls its “Monster Tunnel,” an innovative storage system that allows for additional cargo space. It’s the perfect place to store adventure gear, tools, or daily essentials without sacrificing passenger room. “We designed the future of utility transportation by maximizing every inch to provide comfort without compromising performance or capability,” said Béhar. “TELO brings more features, space, and practicality than any other vehicle on the road today.”

Following the unveiling on March 6, TELO will continue its rigorous safety and durability testing with an eye towards the next phase of automotive development — passing homologation tests, which it expects to accomplish next winter. “We’re inviting investors, partners, and customers to join us as we take the next step,” said Jason Marks, TELO Trucks co-founder and CEO. “TELO is proving that in a market stuffed with legacy brands, it is possible for a mini, mighty startup to deliver on time, on budget, and with real impact.”

TELO Is Non-Innovative By Design

According to InsideEVs, while the MT1 may have an innovative design, its powertrain is not innovative and that is intentional. While Telo worked on a proprietary battery pack to maximize space and structural integrity, every other powertrain component is an off-the-shelf unit from an automotive supplier. That means whether you go for the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version or the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive version, you’ll get a standard e-motor design with a limited slip differential at the rear for extra traction when the going gets slippery — either on or off road.

The focus on off-the-shelf technology means the TELO MT1 uses 400 volt power components, but not to worry, Jason Marks says. 250 kW charging in the real world should be possible, thanks to the company’s focus on the battery pack chemistry. Range for the base model will be 260 miles with a starting price of $41,520 and 300 horsepower. A long-range version adds $4,000, which buys a 106 kWh battery and 350 miles of range. The dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain option adds another $5,000 to the price for a total of $50,520. InsideEVs says the all-singing, all-dancing, top-of-the-line version has 5000 horsepower, but that is an obvious typo, and since we have friendly relations with those people, we won’t belabor the point and just suggest the actual figure is probably closer to 500 horsepower. The MT1 should be able to haul 1,700 lb of payload and tow 6,600 lb. Though, the company admits its trucklet was not designed for long-distance towing. TELO says it expects to put the MT1 into production next year and will probably use a contract manufacturer to assemble the finished vehicles.

Following the unveiling on March 6, TELO will continue its rigorous safety and durability testing with an eye towards the next phase of automotive development — passing homologation tests, which it expects to accomplish next winter. “We’re inviting investors, partners, and customers to join us as we take the next step,” said Jason Marks, TELO Trucks co-founder and CEO. “TELO is proving that in a market stuffed with legacy brands, it is possible for a mini, mighty startup to deliver on time, on budget, and with real impact.”

The company is not above having a bit of fun, which is good because the MT1 is obviously going to be a fun vehicle if and when it makes it into production. Interested people can reserve one today for a modest $152 fee, which just so happens to be the length of the MT1 in inches. It claims to already have more than 5,000 pre-orders. We predict a HUGE market for this vehicle from people who want a pickup truck like the mini-trucks of yesteryear — the Ford Courier, the Datsun 620, the Toyota SR5, the Chevy LUV, and even the quirky Mazda with the rotary engine from the late ’70s. Call it the anti-pickup if you like. It may be the ideal size for many Americans who are tired of wrestling with a current day behemoth in the parking lot at Home Depot.