A younger EV startup known as TELO Vehicles has introduced a partnership with photo voltaic EV developer Aptera to make the most of the latter’s sustainable expertise on its flagship automobile, the MT1 compact pickup. Clients who pre-order a TELO electrical truck will be capable to select from three Aptera photo voltaic panel configurations, serving to increase the automobile’s vary whereas decreasing grid dependency—so long as these BEVs get made.
TELO Vehicles was based by three gents with varied backgrounds in automotive applied sciences and artistic design, together with autonomy and ADAS at Nationwide Devices and Roadster growth throughout Tesla’s early days.
The startup launched its flagship MT1 compact electrical pickup truck in June of 2023, which appears like an thrilling train in house optimization. The MT1 options the mattress capability and crew cabin of a typical pickup truck inside an impressively shortened automobile size of 152 inches. As you possibly can see in TELO’s picture beneath, the MT1 presents the identical inside cabin house and mattress size as a Toyota Tacoma within the footprint of a MINI Cooper.
Since its unveiling, TELO says it has garnered over 4,550 pre-orders of the MT1, which is presently out there in single and twin motors configurations, and the choice for a long-range battery pack that guarantees a variety upwards of 350 miles.
Quickly, TELO will provide early prospects extra choices in its truck configurator – photo voltaic panels from Aptera Motors.
TELO to supply Aptera photo voltaic panels on its truck pre-orders
Aptera shared a weblog publish outlining the main points of its new collaboration with TELO Vehicles, which entails integrating photo voltaic panels of various configurations into the MT1s that stay in growth at this level. The partnership will allow TELO to supply pre-order prospects the choice so as to add as much as three Aptera photo voltaic panel kits to their truck configuration:
- Rooftop Truck Cab Photo voltaic Paneling – Built-in panels over the cab maximize day by day vitality era.
- Tonneau Truck Mattress Cowl Photo voltaic Paneling – A solar-equipped mattress cowl provides energy whereas preserving storage versatility.
- Camper Shell Photo voltaic Paneling – Panels extending from the cab over the mattress enhance charging capability and storage choices.
Aptera says its proprietary photo voltaic panels can generate as much as 200 watts when uncovered to peak daylight, translating to about 1 to 2 kWh of free vitality from the solar per day, relying on the situation of the automobile and the given season. This partnership information follows a profitable exhibiting from the photo voltaic EV startup at CES 2025 in Las Vegas because it continues to trudge ahead in hopes of reaching scaled SEV manufacturing.
Though Aptera’s flagship photo voltaic EV is additional down the event path than the TELO truck, each try to pave a brand new path in sustainable mobility and have paired up in hopes of constant that uphill battle collectively. Per Aptera co-founder and co-CEO Steve Fambro:
Our distinctive curved photo voltaic cell design makes it the proper utility to propel automotive utility additional than ever earlier than. Along with TELO, we’re harnessing the ability of the solar to make life off the grid a actuality for everybody by placing the solar to work for them.
TELO and Aptera shared that the three photo voltaic panel choices outlined above will grow to be out there on MT1 truck pre-orders later this 12 months. TELO says its first totally realized drivable truck prototype is being assembled now by Aria Group, so hopefully, we will transfer on from renderings and see some bonafide production-intent photo voltaic electrical vans quickly. TELO co-founder and CEO Jason Marks additionally spoke:
Whether or not patrons are searching for a commuter automobile, a safer, extra sustainable choice to serve their household’s wants, a rugged, reliable pickup truck for outside adventuring, or a highly-functional fleet & automobile that will increase their enterprise’s effectivity, TELO continues to be a first-in-class automotive choice to fulfill the numerous wants of automobile patrons.
For now, you possibly can reserve a TELO MT1 for $152 – a nod to the general size of the stubby pickup.
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