Telo, a Startup That Promises a Compact Electric Pickup Truck

The US needs pickup trucks that can drive on regular roads rather than being confined to off-road trails. Enter Telo, a startup that’s promising a compact electric pickup truck.

It’s a bit smaller than the Rivian R1T but still packs an impressive punch, thanks to its quad-motor setup and 800-plus horsepower.

Range

Electric pickups are gaining popularity because of their efficiency and ability to handle towing. However, these trucks also require a significant amount of energy to power their motors, which can quickly deplete driving range. For that reason, manufacturers have prioritized range in the development of these vehicles. Fortunately, there are a variety of options on the market that offer a long range.

For example, the Rivian R1T is currently the longest-range electric pickup truck available. It can travel up to 500 miles on a single charge, which is significantly more than the Ford Lightning’s 320-mile range or GM’s 400-mile estimate for its Chevy Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV work trucks. The Rivian R1T can also tow 11,000 pounds and boasts impressive off-road capabilities.

Other manufacturers have plans for electric pickups with exceptional range as well. For instance, Canoo claims that its electric pickup will have a range of more than 200 miles on a single charge. It will use four in-wheel hub motors and a 109kWh battery for a total of 1,800 lb-ft of torque.

In addition to a long range, some of the latest electric pickups also offer impressive acceleration. The Tesla Cybertruck, for instance, can get from zero to 60 mph in just over three seconds. Moreover, the Lordstown Endurance offers a more traditional pickup design and has a top speed of 150 mph.

Performance

While electric sports cars are renowned for their roaring 0 to 60 timing and face-melting top speed, pickup trucks can also be impressive when it comes to raw power. With their powerful battery/electric motor setups, these trucks can not only go fast but also scale mountains and slog through mud or snow without breaking a sweat.

One of the first electric pickups to hit the market was the Ford F-150 Lightning, which is a battery-powered version of its best-selling gas-powered truck. This model delivers a electric car makers solid combination of performance and capability, as it can tow up to 12,000 pounds and carry a 1,300-pound payload. Furthermore, it has an impressive front trunk or frunk space that can fit a lot of camping gear, tools, and food for long trips.

Rivian’s R1T is another notable electric pickup, as it can scale rocks and large hills electric pickup truck like a true off-roader. The Rivian can go 0 to 60 in three seconds and offers plenty of torque, too.

If you’re a fleet manager, consider taking a step towards the future by adding an electric pickup to your lineup. Pilot programs can help you see tangible improvements in your operations and show stakeholders that switching over to an EV fleet is a worthwhile investment. Talk to a fleet management company today to get started with the process of getting an electric vehicle for your business.

Towing

Whether you love them or hate them, full-sized pickup trucks are capable of doing a lot of Real Truck Things. One of those is towing. And with a few startups and established players working on electric models, it’s clear that EV trucks are ready to handle the heavy lifting of traditional pickup truck duties.

Many of the upcoming models have impressive towing capacities. The Tesla Cybertruck is a rumored beast that can tow an amazing 14,000 pounds, while the Rivian R1T is set to be capable of pulling up to 11,000 pounds. Those figures should put them well above the maximum ratings for most half-ton conventional pickups.

What’s more, EV pickup trucks have the potential to offer even more torque than their gas-powered counterparts. This gives them the ability to pull trailers with ease and tow large payloads over long distances. Furthermore, the near-instantaneous delivery of torque makes these vehicles feel more stable during highway cruising compared to diesel and gasoline-powered trucks.

The 2022 Ford Lightning, which is currently the only electric pickup available for sale, also boasts impressive towing capabilities. It can haul up to 5,000 pounds and is built on a solid chassis that’s perfect for off-road adventures. Plus, the Lightning offers something called “bi-directional power,” which means that it can recharge its own battery while towing a load.

Price

When shopping for an electric pickup, price is always a consideration. While EVs have become more affordable, many still cost more than comparable gas-powered pickup trucks. However, the lower operating costs and reduced maintenance expenses should offset this increased initial investment.

The most affordable all-electric pickup currently on sale is the Ford F-150 Lightning. It starts at $55,974 with the Pro trim and features a 98 kWh battery pack with dual motors sending power to all four wheels. Ford has recently cut its prices thanks to upgrades at its Michigan plant, decreased raw material costs for batteries and better scaling of production.

Rivian is another upstart automaker attempting to enter the all-electric truck market. The R1T is available with a dual-motor set-up that generates up to 600 hp and puts all that torque to the ground through all four wheels. If that’s not enough, there’s also a quad-motor model with up to 835 hp and a max towing capacity of 8000 pounds.

Fisker’s Alaska is a little more expensive than the other two trucks, starting at $65,000. The company’s CEO Henrik Fisker tweeted about the vehicle back in February, but he was quick to delete the image after Roadshow asked for more information. It’s unclear if the company will ever bring the Alaska to market, but its rivals like the GMC Hummer EV, Tesla Cybertruck and Rivian R1T are already beating it to the punch.