Telo Trucks Bags $20M to Drive the Future of Compact EV Pickups
When it comes to innovation in the electric vehicle space, most stories revolve around big, flashy models with massive batteries and sky-high price tags. But sometimes, it’s the smaller, smarter ideas that truly capture attention. That’s exactly what Telo Trucks is aiming for. With its compact electric pickup truck, the MT1, the California-based startup is proving that size isn’t everything—innovation, practicality, and efficiency can be just as powerful.
A Big Milestone for a Small but Ambitious Truck
In a significant development, Telo Trucks has raised $20 million in an oversubscribed Series A round. This funding comes at a crucial moment as the company pushes its MT1 closer to production. What makes the achievement even more impressive is that the startup already boasts more than 12,000 preorders, signaling strong demand for this compact yet capable electric pickup.
Investors are clearly buying into Telo’s vision. The funding round was led by company cofounder Yves Béhar and Tesla cofounder Marc Tarpenning, with notable participation from high-profile names such as Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, E12 Ventures, and Nova Threshold. This comes after a $6 million seed round and a $2 million pre-seed round, showing that Telo’s journey has been steady, strategic, and deliberate.
Rethinking the EV Playbook
Unlike many EV startups that raise billions in hopes of achieving mass production quickly, Telo is intentionally taking a different path. CEO Jason Marks explains it best: “The graveyard of electric vehicles from the last 20 years almost all spent billions of dollars chasing high-volume production. What we’re doing is bringing a unique product to market that doesn’t exist right now and stepping our way into volume the way Tesla did with the Roadster and Model S.”
In other words, Telo doesn’t want to play the risky game of chasing scale too early. Instead, the focus is on reaching profitability at lower volumes. According to Marks, if the company can deliver even half of the 12,000 reservations, it will achieve unit profitability. That kind of pragmatic strategy could give Telo a real edge in an industry where financial sustainability often comes second to hype.
The Compact Pickup That Punches Above Its Weight
So, what makes the MT1 so special? Telo describes it as offering “the capabilities of a full-size crew cab work truck in the footprint of a 2-door MINI Cooper.” That claim alone is enough to spark curiosity, and when you look at the specs, the truck truly stands out.
The MT1 is just 152 inches long, making it one of the most compact pickups ever designed, yet it can comfortably seat between five and eight passengers. It even comes with a 60-inch truck bed, ensuring it still performs the duties expected from a pickup.
Under the hood—or rather, under the body—it’s powered by a 380 kW dual-motor AWD system paired with a 106 kWh battery pack, delivering an impressive range of up to 350 miles. At a starting price of $49,999, it positions itself as a relatively accessible option in the EV truck segment.
In terms of performance, the MT1 has a payload capacity of 1,600 pounds and a towing capacity of 6,600 pounds. While that towing power is roughly half of what Rivian’s R1T can pull, it’s more than enough for the everyday needs of construction firms, delivery companies, and city authorities—many of whom are already lining up as customers.
A Different Kind of EV Vision
What makes Telo’s story inspiring is not just the truck itself but the philosophy behind it. In a market often obsessed with bigger, faster, and more expensive, Telo is embracing smarter, leaner, and more practical. By focusing on real-world needs and carefully controlling its growth, the company is showing that there is room for innovation outside the giant automakers.
The preorder numbers also reflect a shift in consumer thinking. More than $600 million in potential revenue has already been generated from reservations, proving that people are eager for alternatives that break away from the conventional EV mold.
Looking Ahead
With funding secured, investor confidence high, and thousands of preorders waiting, Telo Trucks is entering an exciting new chapter. If the company succeeds in delivering on its promises, the MT1 could redefine what an electric pickup looks like—not bulky, oversized, or intimidating, but compact, efficient, and still powerful enough to handle tough jobs.
Just like Tesla’s early Roadster signaled a new era in electric mobility, the MT1 might be the spark that ignites a whole new segment: the compact EV pickup. For urban dwellers, small businesses, and eco-conscious drivers who don’t need massive towing power but crave practicality, this little truck could become a big deal.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is based on publicly available sources and company statements as of September 2025. Specifications, prices, and delivery timelines may change depending on Telo Trucks’ production and market strategy.
