North Americans love their full-size pickup trucks. The Ford F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in America for 48 years. Together with the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Denali, and RAM 1500, full-size pickup trucks have typically accounted for nearly 20 percent of total U.S. new vehicle sales in recent years.
Their popularity drove Ford and GM to introduce all-electric versions of their trucks, like the F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Denali EV, and Hummer EV Truck. RAM too will be introducing a battery-electric vehicle and extended range electric vehicle version of its popular 1500 series in 2026. Not to mention the infamous Tesla Cybertruck and Rivian R1T.
Although electric trucks were initially met with glowing reception from consumers, they’ve recently met with some hesitation, largely due to the high purchase price, range and towing concerns. Meanwhile, the mid-size pickup truck market continues to blur the line between mid-size and full-size pickup trucks led by the Toyota Tacoma, but with no EV options offered by any manufacturer.
Now it looks like some automakers are exploring the rebirth of the compact pickup truck but with a twist – offering electrified powertrains and the utility of a full-size pickup without the excessive fuel consumption.
Ford Maverick
We can thank Ford for reigniting the interest in the “compact” pickup truck. When Ford introduced the Escape-based Ford Maverick truck in 2021, its first year of production sold out immediately. Ford had greatly underestimated the market potential for this little pickup. It not only came with an affordable MSRP under $20,000 but also came standard as a hybrid for fuel economy that a full-size truck could only dream of.
Although it only came with a 4.5-foot bed, a 1,500 lb payload, and a max towing capacity of 4,000 pounds (non-hybrid), it appealed to everyone who didn’t need a massive full-size pickup. In 2024, over 131,000 Mavericks were sold in the US, with over 52 percent being hybrids.
It has become so popular, that Ford recently launched a refreshed model for 2025, which includes styling changes, new trims, and interior refinements. The uber popular hybrid model received an AWD option and up to 4,000lb towing capacity.
Although there still isn’t an all-electric Maverick yet, rumors are that Ford will be launching an all-electric and/or a plug-in hybrid compact pickup truck in the near future.
Slate Truck
For those searching for an all-electric compact pickup, look no further. Slate is a new American startup company that’s financially backed by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos.
Slate recently revealed a unique compact EV pickup truck that it will sell next year for about $20,000 (after incentives). Not only is the Slate truck an affordable, all-electric pickup, it is anticipated to be the cheapest EV pickup truck in North America and one of the most affordable EVs available.
If you’re hoping for a well-equipped truck for $20,000, you might be disappointed. In fact, it’s quite the opposite and done intentionally. Slate will purposely offer the truck as extremely bare bones to keep the cost down. So, features like manual crank windows, manual HVAC controls, and a 2-seater configuration may be nostalgic for many of us who remember the compact pickups from the 1980s and 1990s.
In fact, the Slate truck doesn’t even come with a radio, speakers, or an infotainment system. But at only 175 inches it has a payload of 1,433 pounds and a 5-foot bed - a very usable truck.
It will come either with a 52.7 kWh battery with an anticipated range of 150 miles or an 84.3 kWh battery with an expected range of 240 miles. The Slate truck will only be available with a single motor mounted in the rear for rear-wheel drive. It will arrive equipped with a standard NACS port and a peak of 120kW Level 3 DC Fast Charging speed.
But the Slate truck goes well beyond the basics and electrification. The beauty of this truck is in the customization. With over 100 accessories that you can install yourself or have installed for you, you can customize your Slate truck the way you want it. The Slate truck can even be turned into an SUV or hatchback. Slate is offering what pickup truck buyers have always loved – customization.
Telo
For something completely different, a new California-based EV start up, Telo, recently introduced their MT1 “mini” EV pickup truck. Backed by the original founders of Tesla, Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, Telo also promises full-size truck utility in a much smaller and all-electric package.
At just 152 inches long, the MT1 is 23 inches shorter than the Slate truck and about the same footprint as a Mini Cooper. Yet, it can seat up to five people, has four doors, and a usable bed. Since it’s an EV, the MT1 does away with the traditional long truck hood to take full advantage of its small dimensions.
Much of the body and some chassis components are made from carbon-fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP). The usable 5-foot bed can be extended to accommodate a total of 9-foot long items, through a folding mid-gate, similar to that of the Chevrolet Silverado EV. This means that a full sheet of 4X8 drywall or plywood will actually fit in this little hauler with the tailgate closed. Try that with most full-size pickups.
The MT1 also has a storage tunnel under the bed like the Rivian R1T. Towing capacity is an amazing 6,600 pounds and payload is rated at 1,600 pounds, besting both the larger Maverick and Slate truck.
Unlike the Slate truck, the Telo MT1 can be equipped with a single (RWD) or dual motors (AWD) that offers up to 500 horsepower. Two batteries are available – a 77kWh or 106kWh battery – offering up to 350 miles of range. Amazingly, Telo says that it has a peak DC fast charging speed of up to 250 kW and can charge from 20-80 percent in as little as 20 minutes through its standard NACS port.
All that comes with a bit of a higher MSRP price, estimated to be $41,520 for the base model or about $34,000 after current incentives.
Who are these Electrified Trucks For?
As seen with the Maverick, these compact trucks appeal to consumers who live in dense urban and city areas. They need the versatility of a pickup truck without the gargantuan size of a full-size pickup. As EVs, the Telo MT1 and Slate truck will appeal to budget conscious consumers who are seeking low ownership costs and fuel savings.
Even fleets and contractors, that either do most of their mileage in the city or don’t require hauling large or heavy items, will find these EV trucks appealing. Lower operating and ownership costs would be a key advantage of going electric with a small pickup. Urban-based and smaller fleets are underserved by current vehicle offerings. Full-size pickups are overkill for some fleets, even if they’re all-electric. Smaller EV pickups offer an affordable, compact, and cost-effective option.
An Indicator of the Changing EV Market
Although the purchase price of today’s EVs are starting to come down, they can often be a bit more expensive to purchase than a comparable ICE vehicle. Smaller EVs like the Telo MT1 and Slate truck give an indication that smaller and more affordable EVs are desired by many consumers.
Buyers are also looking for a vehicle size that’s manageable around town yet want the same utility of a much larger vehicle. The Ford Maverick, Telo MT1, and Slate truck all demonstrate how a small footprint can still result in versatility and utility. EVs are ideal in these cases, since EV components are more compact and don’t have the same dimensional restrictions as ICE vehicles.
The Wrap Up
So, are small electric pickups the next big thing for EVs? Maybe. The Ford Maverick made us rethink our full-size truck habits. The Telo MT1 and Slate truck make us rethink the truck itself, and how it’s designed, powered and utilized. Other automakers, like GM and Toyota, are looking to introduce their own compact EV pickups in the near future. Time will tell, but one thing’s for certain – there’s definitely a market for these small electric haulers.
