The electric vehicle landscape just got a whole lot more interesting (and affordable). Electric vehicle startup Slate Auto officially burst onto the scene, unveiling its compact electric pickup truck. And the buzz is real, especially with a name like Amazon founder Jeff Bezos reportedly backing them.
Slate Auto is promising a starting price of around $27,500 for its most basic electric truck. Now, factor in the potential $7,500 federal subsidy, and you’re looking at a price tag under $20,000! That $5,000 less than the cheapest EVs currently available in the US, and get this – none of those are pickups!
For months, Slate has been playing it coy, keeping the details of their EVs tightly under wraps. We’ve caught glimpses here and there, thanks to eagle-eyed spotters and some tantalizing teases from the automaker itself. But now, the curtain has been pulled back, and we’ve got the inside scoop on their trucks’ capabilities, their innovative manufacturing approach, and their exciting rollout plans.
Slate Auto’s philosophy is simple: new cars are just too darn expensive. Their solution? Offer a vehicle that bucks that trend entirely. While the price point is undeniably attractive – significantly lower than pretty much anything else on the market today – it comes with a conscious decision totrim down on the bells and whistles we’ve come to expect in modern vehicles.
Their first offering, a truck that’s likely to get a proper name down the line, is surprisingly petite. By modern American standards, it’s about 20% smaller than a Ford Maverick, making it a truly compact pickup.
The entry-level model, aptly named the “Blank Slate,” boasts an estimated 150 miles of range thanks to its 52.7-kilowatt-hour battery pack. A larger 84.3-kWh battery that extends the range to an estimated 240 miles.
Charging will be a breeze thanks to the inclusion of a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, the standard Tesla established that almost all major automakers now use.
Step inside the Slate Auto truck, and you might feel like you’ve traveled back in time. Forget sprawling center touchscreens, premium audio systems, or even power windows. The interior is deliberately minimalist, a stark contrast to the tech-laden cabins we see in most new vehicles today. But this isn’t an oversight; it’s a calculated move to keep the price as low as possible.
Key interior features include a small driver’s display providing essential information like speed and range, along with the welcome additions of air conditioning and cruise control. Surprisingly, despite its compact exterior, the cabin offers decent passenger space, comfortably accommodating two adults.
Your truck, your rules: embracing personalization
Here’s where Slate Auto gets really interesting. They’re emphasizing “accessible personalization,” meaning no two Slates on the road are likely to be exactly alike. This strategy is partly aimed at younger buyers, who studies show are more receptive to EVs and also tend to be more enthusiastic about customizing their rides.
Slate will offer a staggering 100+ accessories, sold individually and in curated bundles. Buyers can choose to install these themselves or opt for professional installation at a Slate distributor for a set fee. The company anticipates that the average buyer will spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on these add-ons, with the higher end of that spectrum likely for those looking at more significant transformations.
Slate will offer two particularly intriguing accessory kits priced around $5,000 each. These flat-pack kits contain new body panels and a roll structure that allow owners to convert their two-door pickup into either a two-door SUV or a fastback utility vehicle.
Cleverly, the rear wall of the pickup cab is designed to be unbolted and repurposed as the SUV’s tailgate. Safety is also a priority, with required airbags for rear-seat passengers integrated into the added roll cage. Electronic sensors will even confirm the secure connection of the roll cage before the newly converted Slate can be restarted.
Pre-orders are open
You can now put your name down for a Slate Auto pickup truck with a refundable $50 deposit. The company is targeting the last quarter of 2026 for the first deliveries. As for where these budget-friendly EVs will be built? Slate has announced that manufacturing will take place at an as-yet-unspecified location in the Midwestern US.
Slate Auto is clearly aiming to disrupt the electric vehicle market by offering an affordable and highly customizable option. By stripping away non-essential features and empowering owners to personalize their vehicles, they might just have found a winning formula, especially among budget-conscious buyers and those eager to make their EV truly their own. Keep an eye on Slate – they’re definitely a company to watch!
