The Telo MT1: America’s Most Compact Electric Truck

A Small Idea with Big Potential

Telo’s MT1 is a minuscule electric pickup that defies conventional truck expectations. Despite measuring roughly the same length as a two-door Mini Hardtop, it miraculously accommodates five passengers. It boasts a bed nearly as long as a crew-cab Toyota Tacoma. In 2023, Telo’s vision was a foam model with no interior or drivetrain. Since then, the startup has honed its concept and has a fully functional prototype. We recently took a ride, unlike anything else on the road today.

Meet Telo MT1

You’re not alone if the name Telo doesn’t ring a bell. It’s pronounced “TELL-oh,” and its leadership team is stacked with expertise. CEO and co-founder Jason Marks has an engineering background in active safety and autonomous driving. CTO Forrest North previously worked on Tesla’s early battery technology and founded Mission Motors and PlugShare. Adding design prowess, Yves Béhar lends his aesthetic expertise. At the same time, advisors include Andy Palmer, former CEO of Aston Martin, and Simon Sproule, a communications veteran with experience at Tesla and Fiat Chrysler. Telo’s founding team comprises Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, the original brains behind Tesla.

Community engagement is at the core of Telo’s philosophy. CEO Marks describes the company as “the most open automaker,” inviting users to participate in development discussions via Discord, where they can weigh in on design and functionality decisions. Given how deeply ingrained the “bigger is better” mentality is in American truck culture, convincing buyers to embrace a radically smaller pickup is no small feat. Telo, however, believes its innovative approach will redefine what a truck can be.

Just How Compact Is the Telo MT1?

In short—extremely. “Every innovation we made centers around space efficiency,” Marks explains. Unlike traditional pickups, which must accommodate a large engine, the Telo MT1 leverages the flexibility of an electric powertrain to reimagine what’s possible.

Measuring just 152 inches long, it rides on a 111-inch wheelbase, stands 66 inches tall, and spans 73 inches wide. Despite these dimensions, it provides a five-seat cabin and a 60-inch bed. To put that in perspective, the Ford Maverick, often criticized for its compact size, is 200 inches long. In comparison, the Rivian R1T stretches to 217 inches.

Beyond raw specs, Telo’s obsessive approach to packaging is evident in the details. The tailgate is ultra-thin, minimizing wasted space. The bed design reduces wheel well intrusions, maximizing cargo area. A folding partition extends the bed to an impressive eight feet when needed. Rather than a single large radiator, the Telo MT1 employs two smaller cooling circuits to optimize efficiency. The under-bed storage compartment dubbed the “Monster Tunnel,” borrows inspiration from Rivian’s gear tunnel but improves accessibility by allowing direct access from the bed. Despite its small stature, the Telo MT1 appears substantial in person.

A Peek Inside the Telo MT1

Telo has finally unveiled the MT1’s interior, and space optimization remains a focal point. A key concern for potential buyers is whether five adults can fit in such a compact truck. Surprisingly, even at 6-foot-10, I found the cabin deceivingly spacious. Unless sitting completely upright, there’s sufficient headroom, but legroom is tight, especially in the second row. However, ample foot space beneath the front seats compensates slightly.

Clever design elements enhance the sense of openness. Hidden storage compartments, a panoramic glass roof, and windows that fully retract into the doors create an airy atmosphere. The interior features geometric-patterned fabric with subtle iridescence, cork trim, and cast aluminum accents, giving it a sustainable yet premium feel. However, Telo would be wise to offer a more rugged, work-oriented interior option for customers using the truck in demanding conditions.

On the tech front, the Telo MT1 aligns with modern EV expectations. Dual 13-inch displays provide essential information, with the driver’s display cleverly designed to mimic traditional gauges. A volume knob and steering wheel buttons offer some tactile controls. Still, most functions, including air vent adjustments, are touchscreen-based. Unlike some mainstream EVs, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will come standard. “Software enables hardware, and hardware enables software—we must focus on both,” says CTO North. While software can be updated via over-the-air updates, Telo’s priority is finalizing the hardware right now.

Prominent Features, Small Footprint

Telo’s philosophy is simple: innovate only where it matters. The MT1 integrates readily available components, including its motors, suspension, and Tesla’s NACS charging port, concealed behind the driver-side taillight. Unlike more expensive 800-volt architectures, the Telo MT1 uses a 400-volt system to balance cost and efficiency.

One area where Telo does differentiate is in battery design. The compact pack, available in 77 kWh or 106 kWh configurations, is built in-house at Telo’s San Francisco Bay Area facility. “Because we’re not chasing extreme performance figures, we can optimize for energy density in ways others don’t,” Marks explains. Even so, the truck aims for an impressive 350-mile range, a 250-kW peak charging speed, 0-60 mph in as little as 4.0 seconds, and 10 inches of ground clearance.

From a utility standpoint, the 4,400-pound Telo MT1 has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) above 6,000 pounds, a payload capacity of 1,600 pounds, and a towing capability of 6,600 pounds.

The Telo MT1 in Motion

Armed with these specs, we hopped in the Telo MT1 prototype for a quick ride. Given that this was a hand-assembled pre-production vehicle, our impressions should be taken with a grain of salt. Road and wind noise were significant, ride quality was far from refined, and steering felt imprecise. Marks visibly exerted effort to manage the vehicle, and with the prototype running at less than 40% of its intended power, performance impressions were limited. However, the truck felt competent navigating city traffic. Telo plans to include a one-pedal driving mode in the final version. There’s clearly more fine-tuning to be done.

Price and Availability

Our test drive took place at the Aria Group. This boutique automotive manufacturer has built concepts, movie cars, and low-volume production vehicles for brands like Singer and Czinger. By partnering with Aria, Telo aims to achieve a strategic and measured production ramp-up.

The Telo MT1 will cost approximately $42,000 for the single-motor variant, with the dual-motor version costing around $46,000. Opting for the long-range battery adds another $3,980. Telo envisions a diverse customer base, from city dwellers who find traditional trucks too bulky to adventure-seekers looking for a compact, capable off-roader. Delivery drivers, municipal fleets, and agricultural workers could also find value in the Telo MT1’s form factor—though a more rugged interior would be necessary for heavy-duty use.

Telo is well aware of the pitfalls that have plagued other EV startups. “We want to avoid their mistakes,” Marks says. By leveraging off-the-shelf components, outsourcing production, and allowing third parties to sell and service its vehicles, Telo hopes to keep overhead manageable. The company projects profitability at 5,000 annual sales—a fraction of Ford’s F-150 volume—but has the funding to sustain its ramp-up.

Telo still has hurdles with a 2026 launch target, including refining its battery system and proving crash safety compliance. History has shown how challenging the EV space can be. Still, as a fresh startup with no legacy baggage, Telo has the opportunity to redefine the compact truck market. We’re eager to see how this disruptor fares when the MT1 reaches full production.

Telo MT1 Specifications

Base Price: $41,250

Layout: Front/rear-motor, RWD/AWD, 5-passenger, 4-door truck

Motors: 300-500 hp permanent-magnet electric

Transmission: 1-speed automatic

Curb Weight: ~4,300 lbs

Wheelbase: 111 inches

Dimensions (LxWxH): 152 x 73 x 66 inches

0-60 MPH: ~4.0 sec (est.)

Range: 240-350 miles (est.)

On Sale: 2026 (est.)