- The tiny Telo MT1 electric truck will be available with solar panels
- The solar panels will add 1-2 kwh of energy to the battery per day
- Aptera, which hasn’t yet delivered its electric three-wheeler, will supply the solar panels
The tiny Telo MT1 electric pickup truck will be able to recoup some range from the sun thanks to solar panels supplied by another electric-vehicle hopeful: Aptera.
Telo on Wednesday announced plans to offer Aptera-supplied solar panels in three kits. These include a rooftop option that integrates panels with the cab, a solar tonneau cover, and a solar camper shell. The panels can generate up to 200 watts at peak sunlight, adding 1-2 kwh of battery charge per day, according to Telo.
This should help improve the efficiency of what California-based Telo already claims is the world’s most efficient electric truck.
Unveiled in 2023, the MT1 also contrasts current electric pickups with compact proportions. At just 152 inches long, it’s about the same length as the outgoing Mini Cooper SE two-door hatchback.
Telo electric truck with solar panels from Aptera
Telo asserts that the MT1 is not toy truck, though. It promises seating for five adults and a 60-inch bed with a mid-gate for accommodating longer items—including a 4×8 sheet of plywood or 9-foot surfboard. Telo is also targeting up to 350 miles of range with an optional Long Range pack and 6,600-pound towing capacity with an optional 500-hp dual-motor powertrain. The Standard pack and base single-motor rear-wheel drive powertrain deliver 260 miles and 300 hp, respectively.
Solar panels will be available for pre-order later this year, but Telo is now accepting pre-orders for the truck itself for $152. Pricing is set at $41,250 for the single-motor version and $46,019 for the dual-motor version, plus $3,980 for the bigger battery pack. Telo said a prototype truck is currently being built, but hasn’t said when it expects to start customer deliveries.
Aptera has said that integrated solar panels will minimize the need for charging of its high-efficiency three-wheel EV, but has struggled to get that vehicle into production. After announcing a 400-mile Launch Edition version in 2023, Aptera confirmed in October 2024 that it had only just completed the first production-intent vehicle, taking it a step closer to an actual salable vehicle but still not quite there.
