According to The Verge's review, California-based Telo is positioning its MT1 as a compact electric pickup that delivers the utility of a full-size truck in a much smaller footprint. The vehicle is about the size of a two-door Mini Cooper, yet it includes a full-size 96-inch bed and an 8,000-pound tow rating, potentially appealing to buyers who want truck capability without the bulk.
Telo was founded in 2022 by Jason Marks and Forrest North, a former Tesla battery engineer, along with designer Yves Behar. The company originally planned an electric motorcycle, but pivoted after polling roughly 200 people on the street and finding that nearly 90 percent preferred a tiny truck. That market signal shaped their bet that there is demand for smaller, more efficient pickups in the US.
The MT1 is expected to offer up to 350 miles of range with a 106kWh battery pack, and the company estimates 0-60 mph in about four seconds. The source notes a split battery architecture with both 800V and 400V systems, allowing the truck to use Tesla's V3 Superchargers. These specs are notable for a startup with just 30 employees.
The Verge's review suggests the MT1 could offer a viable, if pricey, alternative to the large trucks that dominate the American market. Co-founder Forrest North argues that big trucks are dangerous and unnecessary, and Telo aims to change the conversation about electric urban transportation. The source does not provide pricing or production timelines, but the early attention suggests a potential niche for small electric trucks.