Photo Credit: Telo TrucksTelo says its MT1 can now tow 8,000 pounds, up from the 6,600-pound rating it previously advertised.If that figure holds up in production, the compact truck would rival some base Ford F-150 models despite the MT1's dramatically smaller footprint.What happened?The higher tow number comes after months of towing in real-world use, Electrek reported.At 152 inches long, the MT1 is about the size of an electric Mini Cooper, but Telo still says it has space for as many as five occupants and a bed that extends from 60 to 96 inches.AdvertisementAdvertisementFor Telo co-founder and CTO Forest North, towing capability was an early priority for the truck."In the beginning, we set a stake in the ground that we wanted to be able to tow over 6,000 pounds," North said.As previously mentioned, Telo now says the MT1 has moved well past that original goal.The MT1 uses a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup rated at 500 horsepower, along with either a 77-kilowatt-hour battery offering about 260 miles of range or a 106-kWh pack rated at more than 350 miles. The startup lists a starting price of $41,520 and is aiming for first deliveries in late 2026.Why does it matter?If Telo can deliver those numbers in production, it could give drivers a more practical alternative to oversized pickups for day-to-day use.AdvertisementAdvertisementA shorter truck is easier to park, easier to maneuver through cities, and potentially less wasteful for drivers who only need serious towing capability some of the time but still want a usable bed and passenger space.Electric trucks also come with benefits beyond raw power. Making your next car an EV can help drivers save money on fuel. They generally require less routine maintenance because they do not need oil changes and have fewer moving parts than gas-powered vehicles. Shoppers considering the switch may weigh lower running costs alongside performance.North also said the MT1's EV setup could be especially useful while towing in mountainous areas."That means that we can regen for miles and miles and miles going down a pass — you're not touching your brakes and yet you have complete control over your vehicle and your trailer," he said.AdvertisementAdvertisementStill, Telo has yet to prove that those headline prototype figures can translate into reliable mass production.What's being done?North said, "Now that we're further into it, we have towed a bunch of things. We understand towing and what this vehicle can do."Telo says it has already been testing the concept in real-world conditions, including with Pebble's Flow electric travel trailer, which weighs 5,800 pounds.Electrek also noted that some newer trailers are being designed with their own batteries and motors to ease the burden on the vehicle towing them.Telo says the MT1 will support 400-kilowatt sustained charging through a dual 800V/400V battery setup.AdvertisementAdvertisementCharging an EV at home often costs about half as much as using public chargers, but basic Level 1 charging tends to be slow. Qmerit offers free, instant installation estimates for faster Level 2 home chargers.Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
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