The Telo MT1: A Mighty Truck in a Compact Frame

Cruising through San Carlos, California, I find myself in the Telo MT1, America’s smallest electric truck, weaving past tech giants like EA and Oracle. This mini truck definitely stands out with its unique design, reminiscent of Japanese kei trucks, featuring a short nose and a cab-over layout that places front-seat passengers right over the front axle. It’s hard not to notice as we glide silently by or pause at stoplights, drawing curious glances from passersby.

Inside, the MT1 surprises with its spaciousness. The seats are firm but comfortable enough for short trips on the bumpy streets around Telo’s headquarters. Co-founder and CEO Jason Marks takes the wheel, giving me a ride to the office before my brief test drive. From the passenger seat, the ride feels stable and firm, thanks to the low center of gravity from the battery pack beneath the floor.

Once behind the wheel, the MT1 feels like a nimble pickup, with a slightly bouncy ride when empty, yet it boasts the instant torque and acceleration typical of electric vehicles. As we return to the front of Telo’s offices, Marks has me come to a complete stop and then floor it, showcasing the truck’s impressive power. He mentions that this is the same stretch where Tesla conducted customer test drives for the Roadster years ago.

According to Marks, the production version of the Telo will hit 0-60 mph in about four seconds. It launches from a standstill with ease, a remarkable feat for a startup with just 30 employees. Despite its compact size, the Telo can hold its own against the larger SUVs and Teslas that dominate the area. Marks points out that the Telo is roughly the same size as a two-door Mini Cooper but offers much more practicality, with an 8,000-pound towing capacity, a full-size 96-inch bed, and a range of clever hidden features aimed at providing a viable, albeit pricier, alternative to the oversized pickups prevalent in the U.S.

“I hope our truck demonstrates how amazing, fun, and especially useful a small pickup can be, because the current big trucks are literally killing us,” said Forrest North, Telo’s co-founder and CTO, during our chat at the headquarters. “Sure, it’s fun to sit high and feel powerful, but they’re responsible for an extra 5,000 deaths per year. Should we just overlook that?”

Marks and North, both Bay Area residents and pickup truck owners, started Telo in 2022, driven by their passion for urban transportation. Marks needs a truck to transport his three-legged dog, while North enjoys outdoor adventures. They recognized that while large pickups are handy, they’re not ideal for city living. This realization, combined with their shared vision, led them to team up with Yves Behar to create Telo.

Initially, their focus was on electric motorcycles, presenting a pitch that included concepts for a motorcycle, a small car, and a tiny truck. However, interest consistently leaned toward the tiny pickup, prompting North to encourage Marks to pivot to truck development, even as their motorcycle project neared completion. A street poll of about 200 people revealed that nearly 90% preferred the truck, leading to a swift shift in direction.

“It’s clear that traditional trucks have become overly large,” North remarked. “They’ve lost their purpose. Telo aims to redefine what electric transportation can be in urban settings.”

The Telo MT1 is equipped with a 77kWh battery pack at launch, with an optional 106kWh pack promising up to 350 miles of range. Its innovative battery layout features both 800V and 400V architectures, allowing compatibility with Tesla’s V3 Supercharger network and newer high-powered charging stations. Telo manufactures its battery packs in-house, ensuring maximum energy density and longevity through advanced thermal management systems.

I had the chance to drive one of Telo’s prototypes, which, despite its 152-inch length, appears smaller. With the midgate of the passenger seats folded down, it offers a full-size truck bed. To compensate for the absence of a frunk, Telo has designed a “monster” tunnel that runs beneath the truck bed, accessible from both sides and spacious enough for luggage.

The interior is still being finalized, but it will feature two 13-inch digital displays supporting both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with most controls managed through the screen interface.

Telo’s design also addresses safety concerns, having developed a new front end that meets U.S. crash safety regulations, a challenge that took nearly four years to solve. Marks explained that the redesigned hinge pillar consolidates multiple components, significantly reducing the part count and enhancing structural integrity.

With AI tools streamlining the virtual crash-testing process, Telo is making strides in safety validation. The company has locked in its body in white, currently being produced by a U.S. supplier, and is set to begin full crash testing next year.

The Telo MT1 will be available in both single-motor (rear-wheel drive) and dual-motor (all-wheel drive) configurations, with options like a solar-capable tonneau cover. Reservations are open for a refundable $152, with the base price starting at $41,520. Marks is optimistic about the demand, noting over 14,000 reservations, with a significant portion opting for all-wheel drive and the longer-range battery.

Telo aims for profitability with around 5,000 vehicles sold within 24 months of deliveries, targeting customer handovers in 2027, pending necessary certifications. Most reservations are from urban areas like LA, New York, and Seattle, with a preference for the larger battery pack.

Marks sees Telo as part of a new wave of electric vehicles, aiming to maximize the potential of electric technology by rethinking vehicle design. Ultimately, Telo’s mission is about enhancing user experience and delivering real value through electric mobility, hoping to shift perceptions toward smaller, more efficient electric pickups in a world where oversized trucks are becoming impractical.