Telo Trucks revealed the first pre-production unit of its MT1 compact electric pickup truck on Thursday.
According to a press release from the California-based company, the next steps involve safety and durability testing, followed by regulatory homologation, which Telo aims to complete by next winter.
Telo MT1 electric truck prototype. (Mar. 2025)
The MT1, initially unveiled in 2023 as a concept, offers a unique proposition with its compact size and efficiency focus. Despite being just 152 inches long—comparable to the Mini Cooper SE hatchback—it can accommodate five adults with generous legroom, akin to full-size crew cab pickups.
Featuring a 60-inch bed longer than the Rivian R1T, the MT1 includes a midgate for transporting long items like surfboards or plywood sheets behind the front seats. Additionally, an underbed storage compartment named the Monster Tunnel provides extra space.
Telo MT1 electric truck prototype (Mar. 2025)
Telo has received over 5,000 pre-orders for the MT1 at $152 each, reflecting the truck’s length. The base model starts at $41,250, offering a 300-hp single motor rear-wheel drive configuration with an estimated range of 260 miles. Customers can opt for a larger battery pack for an additional $3,980, extending the range to around 350 miles, or upgrade to a 500-hp dual-motor setup for $4,769.
With ambitions to create the world’s most efficient electric truck, Telo has partnered with Aptera, another EV startup. Aptera plans to supply solar panels to Telo, leveraging solar technology for enhanced efficiency, although Aptera is yet to launch its own solar-assisted EV.