Will America Go for TELO’s Small Electric Trucks?
Electric trucks are superior to their polluting, gas-powered equivalents in nearly every possible way. Faster, with greater torque, more efficient, fun to drive and more eco-friendly are the many benefits electric trucks offer. A lower price is the only way gas-powered trucks currently beat electric. However, that will change as EVs are produced in greater numbers. Soon the EV will be cheaper than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in America and around the world.
One of America’s ongoing problems is its love for big, heavy trucks and SUVs. A ground-breaking new company, TELO, seeks to change that paradigm.
GMC Hummer EV
As drivers convert from gas to electric in ever-increasing numbers, this love of big and heavy is converting along with the EV revolution. The most evident example is the GMC Hummer EV truck.
The electric revival of the Hummer stands in stark contrast to the broader trends in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, which for the most part emphasize efficiency. The Hummer EV is equipped with one of the largest battery packs available—212 kWh in the truck and an estimated 170 kWh in the SUV—which is far larger than what most EVs offer. However, despite this massive power supply, its efficiency is poor, achieving only around 1.6 miles per kWh, making it one of the least efficient EVs on the market.
While the Hummer EV SUV delivers a decent range of about 314 miles, that range becomes less reliable during highway driving. Moreover, its weight—over 9,000 pounds—makes it not only the heaviest EV currently on sale but also potentially the heaviest passenger vehicle overall.
Ford F-Series and Lightning
In 2023, more than 700,000 customers chose a new Ford F-Series truck, making it the best-selling truck in the United States for the 47th consecutive year.
The electrification of Ford’s F-Series, through the F-150 Lightning, has made a significant impact. The F-150 Lightning has quickly established itself as the best-selling full-size electric pickup truck in the U.S., reflecting Ford’s successful transition of its iconic F-Series into the EV era. With its blend of traditional truck capabilities—such as towing, hauling, and off-road performance—alongside modern electric technology, the Lightning appeals to a wide range of consumers, from work truck users to EV enthusiasts.
The F-150 Lightning offers competitive range options, powerful performance, and features like the ability to power homes during outages, which has added to its appeal. By electrifying the F-Series, Ford is not only maintaining its dominance in the truck market but also playing a key role in shaping the future of electric vehicles in the U.S.
However, with all of the Lightning’s great capabilities, it is still big. An innovative new EV maker, TELO, is seeking to break America’s addiction to big trucks.
TELO MT1, the World’s Most Efficient EV Pickup
TELO Trucks has introduced a revolutionary concept with the TELO MT1, the world’s most efficient EV pickup designed specifically for urban living and weekend adventuring. By reimagining the traditional pickup truck, TELO has combined electrification and advanced safety technology to create a vehicle that offers impressive range and efficiency, all within the compact footprint of a MINI Cooper.
The TELO MT1 is built to be practical yet powerful, making it versatile for both city navigation and outdoor adventures. Its small size allows it to maneuver easily in urban environments, while its robust performance is ideal for hauling gear or taking trips out of town.
The TELO MT1 is remarkable in how it maximizes space and functionality within a compact footprint. Despite being as short as a MINI Cooper SE, it offers the same interior space as a Toyota Tacoma, comfortably seating five adults across four doors.
Specs and Dimensions
The TELO MT1 delivers impressive performance specs, making it both powerful and efficient for an electric pickup truck. With a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 4 seconds, it rivals many performance EVs while maintaining its utility. The truck offers a 350-mile range on a single charge, and packs 500 horsepower.
The TELO MT1’s dimensions emphasize its compact and practical design for urban environments and versatility:
Length: 152 inches, making it comparable to small city cars like the MINI Cooper, which allows for easy maneuverability and parking in tight spaces.
Width: 73 inches, providing a stable and roomy feel without being overly large, ideal for both city streets and off-road conditions.
Height: 66 inches, maintaining a balanced profile that contributes to its aerodynamic efficiency and urban functionality.
These dimensions, combined with the truck’s spacious interior and functional truck bed, make the TELO MT1 a uniquely compact yet capable EV pickup.
TELO Leadership
The leadership team at TELO Trucks brings together a diverse set of expertise across design, engineering, and business.
Jason Marks, Founder and CEO, leads the company with a vision to redefine the EV truck space. With his background in entrepreneurship and leadership, Jason guides the strategic direction of TELO Trucks. Previously, Marks led the Autonomous Vehicles and Driver Assistance Systems test programs at National Instruments (NI).
Forrest North, Founder and CTO, is the technical mastermind behind the company’s innovative engineering. His experience in EV development ensures that TELO stays at the forefront of electric truck technology, focusing on performance, efficiency, and safety. Previously, he founded Mission Motors, one of the first electric motorcycle companies.
Yves Béhar, Founder and Chief Creative Officer (CCO), brings a strong design focus to TELO, leveraging his experience as a world-renowned industrial designer. Béhar’s work ensures that TELO’s products not only perform at the highest level but also stand out with exceptional design and user experience. Béhar’s works are included in permanent museum collections worldwide. He speaks frequently on topics including design, technology and sustainability.
Small is the New Big
“Small is the new big, even in pickup trucks. I love backing founders like Jason and Forrest who have the vision to turn a massive industry on its head,” said Neo CEO, Ali Partovi.
Neo is a San Francisco Bay area mentorship community and communal venture capital fund.
Will Americans Go for TELO’s Small Electric Trucks?
At EVinfo.net, we hope America will break its addiction to big trucks and go for TELO’s trucks. Smaller vehicles have many advantages over larger vehicles, regardless of the power source, whether gas, electric, or hybrid.
Smaller vehicles are more eco-friendly. Driving them uses less fuel or electricity, which means less greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, causing climate change. Production of the vehicles uses less resources and power. This is also better for the environment.
Drivers will save money by driving smaller vehicles. Smaller vehicles are more efficient, so fuel costs are less for driving a small vehicle, whether it is gas or electric. Smaller vehicles are also easier to drive and find available parking. EVinfo.net hopes you will consider a TELO or other small EV for your next vehicle purchase. TELO is currently accepting fully refundable pre-orders here.
Electric Vehicle Marketing Consultant, Writer and Editor. Publisher EVinfo.net.
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