Startup electric vehicle maker Telo has raised the towing capacity of its upcoming MT1 compact pickup truck to 8,000 pounds, according to a video statement released by co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Forrest North.
Telo MT1 Towing Specs Outpace Base Ford F-150 and Tesla Cybertruck
According to data shared by Forrest North, the Telo MT1 can now pull up to 8,000 pounds, a significant jump from the company’s initial 6,600-pound target. This places the compact EV ahead of the base 2026 Ford F-150 with a 2.7-liter V6 EcoBoost engine, which pulls between 7,400 and 7,600 pounds, and the Tesla Cybertruck Dual-Motor, which carries a 7,500-pound rating, as detailed in industry specifications.
Despite matching the length of a two-door Mini hatchback at 152 inches, the MT1 packs four doors, five seats, and a 60-inch bed. North demonstrated the vehicle pulling a Pebble Flow electric camper with a 45-kilowatt-hour battery pack, dual hub motors, and a 6,800-pound gross weight.
Engineering Behind the 8,000-Pound Rating
The MT1 achieves its heavy-duty towing capacity through a combination of regenerative braking systems, the vehicle’s 4,400-pound curb weight, and a bespoke electric platform, according to Telo. By placing the wheel axles as close to the front and rear corners as possible, engineers expanded interior cabin space while shortening the distance between the rear axle and the tow hitch.
North explained in his video update that this short overhang creates a smaller levering force on the front of the vehicle, allowing the compact structure to manage heavier loads on the hitch. Furthermore, pairing the truck with modern trailers featuring active regeneration and their own battery packs helps manage the overall load during transport.
Pricing, Trims, and Production Timeline
Telo estimates the entry-level, single-motor rear-wheel-drive MT1 will start at an MSRP of $41,520 with a 260-mile range, according to company disclosures. A higher-tier dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant offering a 350-mile range is planned at an estimated price of $50,000.
Production is scheduled to begin later this year under a manufacturing contract with Tier 1 automotive supplier Schwab Industries, which will build the body-in-white for the vehicle. While employees have tested the prototypes, public test drives remain unavailable as the startup moves toward mass production.
Did You Know? The Telo MT1’s entry-level price point sits roughly $2,000 above the cheapest Ford F-150 models, yet remains approximately $30,000 less expensive than a base Tesla Cybertruck.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the towing capacity of the Telo MT1?
According to CTO Forrest North, the Telo MT1 is rated to tow up to 8,000 pounds.
How does the Telo MT1 compare in size to other vehicles?
At 152 inches long, the Telo MT1 matches the physical length of a Mini hatchback while retaining four doors, five seats, and a 60-inch truck bed.
When will Telo MT1 production begin?
Telo announced that manufacturing is scheduled to start later this year in partnership with Schwab Industries.
What are the expected price and range options for the MT1?
The single-motor entry model targets an MSRP of $41,520 with a 260-mile range, while the dual-motor variant targets $50,000 with a 350-mile range.
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