TELO x fuseproject's compact EV truck fuses sustainability and urban adventure

The increasing awareness surrounding the unbridled usage of fossil fuels has led to a subsequent spotlight on alternative energy sources, especially in the automobile industry. With EV technology introducing new horizons for car design, the demand for electric vehicles has witnessed a significant surge in the recent times. Despite the technological strides and countless new configurations permeating the market, there are some disparities that limit them. Most EV trucks today are oversized, difficult and dangerous to maneouvre around town, while being environmentally inefficient. Smaller electric cars and sedans, on the other hand, fall short of seating, hauling capacity or the range people need. Can the space savings of smaller electric batteries and motors, and the thrill and functionality of an EV truck be meshed into one?

This very question led TELO—electric vehicle manufacturer founded by Jason Marks and Forrest North—and fuseproject—Swiss designer Yves Béhar’s multidisciplinary design studio—to devise a solution that addresses the need for sustainable mobility without compromising functionality, safety or the buzz of driving for size. Aspiring to initiate a groundbreaking shift in automotive design, the collaborators have officially unveiled the TELO Truck. This first-of-its-kind vehicle features the capacity of a standard truck in its merely 152-inch long frame. The truck’s advanced configuration and compact shell challenges the notions of what an electric truck can be—emerging as an ideal choice for both urban and suburban consumers. “As the demand for electric vehicles continues to grow across the United States, we saw a strong need for a vehicle that is suited for both urban environments and active lifestyles,” said Jason Marks, CEO and Co-Founder of TELO. “Now more than ever, urban adventurers want the practicality of a small footprint with the storage capacity and power of a traditional truck. With TELO, explorers can live in the city and venture out on weekends,” he adds.

The design team, with Béhar as TELO's Head of Design and Advisor, redesigned the EV truck footprint and function from scratch. This was achieved by taking advantage of unparalleled electric and automobile technology to cater to the requirements of both urban and suburban drivers. The truck’s standard 60-inch truck bed and a four-door five-passenger spacious interior fits snugly in an overall length comparable to that of a MINI Cooper. Despite featuring the capacity and storage dimensions of a standard pickup, the automobile design can squeeze into small city streets and congested parking spots owing to its length. “Unlike a small car, however, TELO is a workhorse for anyone who needs the space for weekday work as well as weekend adventures,” reads Béhar’s official design statement.

Perhaps the most striking feature of TELO's design is the absence of a long, sloping front-end. Without the need for a large gas-powered engine and its battery packs packed within the truck’s skeleton, the vehicle length is dramatically shortened without losing out on safety. Furthermore, a shortened front-end enhances the battery cooling process as air drafts more easily through the exposed front wheel wells. "By focusing on the design and placement of the battery pack within the truck’s chassis, we are able to not only to create a roomier crew cab, but also develop a vehicle that is practical for its users,” shares Forrest North, CTO and Co-Founder. “Our patent-pending battery packs are space optimised to provide an impressive 350-mile range in between charges in our small footprint, while being highly manufacturable,” he adds.

The innovative design also offers a generous truck bed that measures 60 inches with the tailgate closed. The truck bed’s ample size is expandable owing to a mid-partition between the back-seat and the truck bed which can be folded down to augment the truck bed towards the interior of the truck. “This feature enables 4-feet by 8-feet sheets of plywood to fit with the tailgate up, as well as long ladders, 9-foot surfboard and tools. These storage items are safely secured by the roll-up tonneau cover, making TELO the perfect vehicle to safely store work items and weekend gear while on the go,” the design statement reads.

A sustainable design packed in compact length translates to better visibility and safety, while ensuring that its drivers will no longer need to wander around city blocks to find an ideal spot to park their massive vehicle. The six-grooved headlights and neat geometry set TELO apart from the aggressive-looking trucks that are a fairly common sight—a testimony of mindful design and practicality. While the battery cooling is visually-minimised by the front air intake, the front-exposed wheel wells guide the airflow through the door and vent out the side through the rounded debossed side vents to improve aerodynamics. The door handles and taillights conform to a similar design expression. “TELO utilises the latest in advanced safety technology—sensors to predict and classify collisions before they happen, airbags and structural technology—to make our vehicles safer not only for occupants but also for pedestrians, bicyclists and other vulnerable road users,” Béhar mentions in the design statement.

TELO, a singular product design, addresses the needs of not only urban residents and businesses, but also introduces features for weekend adventures. A side-tunnel storage compartment is added to the design for supplementary midsize items storage such as suitcases and adventure gear—-further doubling as a seat when put down. The truck bed can further be modified to accommodate a truck cap that can house the options of a third-row seat or a camping set-up. Every aspect of the TELO Truck vehicle, designed in partnership with the founding team, fortifies its name derived from the ancient Greek word for ‘purpose’—fuelled by a vision of a future that embraces sustainable mobility that is deliberate and impactful in tandem. “For us, the opportunity to design with the latest EV technology meant that we could create a category defining and environmentally mighty ultra-compact pickup truck,” notes Béhar. “It is designed for city adventurers who want a vehicle nimble enough for city streets and robust enough for outdoor exploring, with plenty of space for their people and gear. It has been an honour to bring to life an unparalleled EV truck which offers best-in-class utility, safety and all around drivability.”