Telo’s electric MT1 mini-truck gets a new preproduction prototype

Telo Trucks, the company building a compact, modular electric pickup truck, revealed its new preproduction prototype in Los Angeles. The San Carlos, California-based startup recently closed a $5.4 million funding round and is working with bespoke manufacturing partner Aria Group (which has built EV restomods including for companies like Everrati) to enter the next development phase towards the final mini-truck.

The company said they have over 5,000 preorders for the mini-truck, which is now known as the Telo MT1, that “represents over $250M+ in customer commitments.” The EV was first revealed in 2023 and showed off a clever modular design where the truck cab can open for more bed space, or enclosed like a van. There’s also a “Monster Tunnel” storage compartment across the truck’s width where you can carry long items, similar to Rivian’s gear tunnel.

The overall design of the latest MT1 looks nearly identical to the original reveal, save for a relocation of the side body indentations. The interior has LCD screens housed in separate cut-out plates, making the instrument cluster look more analog. And it uses materials like biodegradable cork throughout the cabin.

The front of the vehicle is still entirely flat, which helps give the truck its spectacularly short design that makes it perfect for urban environments. Although a flat front seems like it lacks crucial crumple zone space, Telo says it’s continuing “rigorous safety and durability testing.” Telo expects to achieve homologation “sometime next winter.”

Meanwhile, the company’s co-founder and CEO Jason Marks is calling for more investors, partners, and customers to help make MT1 happen. Telo also has industrial designer Yves Behar on board, who has worked on products for Jawbone and Herman Miller. And co-founder and CTO Forrest North, who previously founded motorcycle company Mission Motors, is helping build the MT1’s battery technology.

Telo MT1 reservations are still open for $152, the same number of inches as the vehicle’s length. The US could use some small pickup trucks, where the best we’ve got is the 200-inch Ford Maverick Hybrid. The market is still dominated by extra-large gas-powered trucks like the Ford F-150 (and it’s EV versions aren’t doing too well).