A new electric pickup being developed in California is attempting to combine the footprint of a small city car with towing figures normally associated with much larger trucks.
The Telo MT1 measures just 152 inches (3.86 metres) long—approximately the same length as a two-door Mini Cooper—but its dual-motor configuration is rated to tow as much as 8,000 lb (3,629 kg).
For comparison, Toyota lists a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 lb (2,948 kg) for the current Tacoma, while a properly equipped Ford Maverick can tow up to 4,000 lb (1,814 kg).
That puts the dual-motor MT1’s claimed towing capacity 1,500 lb above the Tacoma’s maximum and at twice the Ford Maverick’s maximum rating. These remain manufacturer specifications, however, rather than results from an independent head-to-head towing test.
Full-size utility in a much shorter footprint
The MT1’s unusual proportions are made possible by its cab-forward electric architecture. Because it does not need the long hood found on a conventional combustion-powered pickup, much of the vehicle’s length can be devoted to passengers and cargo.
Despite its compact exterior, the standard configuration provides four doors, seating for five people and a five-foot cargo bed.
A configurable midgate allows the bed to extend into the rear passenger compartment. With the partition folded, the truck can carry items such as 4 × 8-foot plywood sheets or eight-foot surfboards while keeping its tailgate closed.
Telo lists a maximum payload of 2,000 lb (907 kg) and a towing capacity of 6,600 lb (2,994 kg) for the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive model. The more powerful dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version is rated to carry up to 1,700 lb (771 kg), but its maximum towing capacity increases to 8,000 lb (3,629 kg).
Up to 500 horsepower and 350 miles of range
The entry-level MT1 uses a single electric motor producing approximately 300 hp. Telo says it can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in around six seconds.
The dual-motor model increases output to approximately 500 hp and is expected to complete the same sprint in about four seconds.
Two battery options are planned. The standard battery is projected to provide approximately 260 miles (418 km) of driving range, while a 106-kWh long-range battery is expected to deliver up to 350 miles (563 km).
These remain manufacturer estimates and have not yet been confirmed through final EPA testing. Towing a heavy trailer would also reduce the truck’s real-world driving range, as it does with other electric and combustion-powered vehicles.
Production is the next major test
Telo has moved beyond its original digital concept and produced functioning pre-production prototypes. The company has also partnered with Michigan-based Schwab Industries to manufacture the MT1’s body-in-white structure.
Telo is targeting an initial low-volume production run of approximately 500 vehicles, with first customer deliveries planned for late 2026. Prices currently start at $41,520 for the single-motor model and $46,019 for the dual-motor version, before battery and accessory upgrades.
However, the MT1 is still progressing through testing, certification and production preparations. Its final towing performance, payload, range, charging speed and delivery schedule could therefore change before customer vehicles reach the road.
If Telo can bring the published specifications into production, the MT1 could offer an unusual alternative to America’s increasingly large pickups: a five-seat electric truck that occupies roughly the same road space as a small hatchback but is rated to tow between 3 and 3.6 tonnes, depending on the configuration.
Sources: Telo Trucks, Car and Driver
