Finding a pickup that is easy to park in the city and at the same time has the ability to carry materials or tow a trailer is not an easy task. That is precisely the space that Telo wants to occupy with its first model, a proposal that breaks with the trend of manufacturing increasingly larger trucks.

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The company, founded in California in 2022, ensures that its MT1 will hit the market before the end of the year. Su apuesta consiste en ofrecer un vehículo eléctrico con dimensiones similares a las de un automóvil compacto, pero con prestaciones propias de una pickup mediana.

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The idea was born thinking about those who need a practical vehicle for daily work without giving up the ease of moving through narrow streets or finding parking in large cities.

A small size with a very practical approach

At first glance, the Telo MT1 surprises with its proportions. Its length is comparable to that of a four-door hatchback, but its design makes the most of the available space to offer a five-foot bed, similar to that used by several mid-size pickups on the market.

The brand also worked on the use of the cabin. According to their data, the interior can comfortably accommodate five adults, even people of great stature, thanks to a different layout of the mechanical and electrical components.

Uno de los aspectos más llamativos es su configuración modular. The separation between the cabin and the cargo area can be modified to transport long objects without having to leave the hatch open. Además, esa solución permite incorporar una tercera fila de asientos y elevar la capacidad hasta ocho ocupantes.

Two versions with interesting figures

The MT1 will be available with a single electric motor configuration or with two propellers.

The entry-level variant will develop around 300 horsepower and send power to the rear axle. With that setup, acceleration from 0 to 60 mph is completed in about six seconds. It will also offer a payload capacity of up to 2,000 pounds and will be able to tow 6,600 pounds.

Those looking for superior performance can opt for the dual-motor and all-wheel drive version. In this case, power increases to about 500 horsepower and the time to reach 60 mph drops to about four seconds, while maintaining a towing capacity of 6,600 pounds.

Autonomy for daily use and travel

Telo will offer two battery options to suit different needs. The first will have a capacity of 77 kWh and an estimated range of about 260 miles per charge.

The second will incorporate a 106 kWh battery, enough to travel up to 350 miles, a figure that places the MT1 as a competitive alternative within the electric vehicle market.

The company also announced that the pickup will be compatible with fast charging systems capable of recovering 20 to 80% of the battery in around 20 minutes, as long as high-power infrastructure is used.

To make the project a reality, Telo signed an agreement with American supplier Schwab, which will be responsible for manufacturing the main structure of the vehicle before its final assembly.

Production and price

The startup maintains the objective of starting the commercialization of the MT1 before the end of the year, while the first deliveries to customers will be made progressively.

As for pricing, the single-motor, rear-wheel drive version will start at $41,520. For its part, the dual-motor and all-wheel drive configuration will start at $46,019. With this proposal, Telo seeks to make its way into a segment where size will no longer be the main argument for choosing an electric pickup.