Startup Telo to challenge large utes with MT1

STARTUP American EV manufacturer Telo is set to shakeup the US pick-up industry by offering its compact MT1 with a payload figure that challenges the best full-size entrants in the segment.

Measuring just 152 inches in length (3860mm), the compact model is no longer than a Mini Cooper hatch yet offers seating for five and a tray bed comparable in size to a Toyota Tacoma.

The San Francisco based firm says the model will feature a folding mid-gate to extend bed length even further, while also including an undertray tunnel similar to that of the Rivian R1T.

With a cab-forward design, the Telo MT1 is set the challenge the industry’s ‘bigger is better’ focus, in much the same way proposed by similar startup Slate earlier this year.

The Telo MT1 is built on a proprietary skateboard style frame using batteries made by Telo and ranging from 77kWh to 106kWh in capacity. The company says the former is capable of travelling up to 360 miles (418km) from a full charge and the latter 350 miles (563km).

Charging is via a Telsa-style NACS socket with a DC fast-charging rate of up to 250kW.

Driveline power output is listed at 300hp (223kW) in rear-wheel drive guise, with the all-wheel drive variant outputting 500hp (373kW).

Telo is estimating a recommended sticker price of between $US42,000 ($A64,320) and $50,000 ($76,570) depending on configuration and equipment levels.