Automotive
The reasonably priced pickup has officially made a comeback—this time with a charge. Meet the Slate Truck, a minimalist, no-frills, all-electric vehicle that’s targeting a post-incentive price tag of under $20,000. That’s not a typo. In a world where EVs are often synonymous with high-tech luxury and soaring price tags, Slate Auto’s debut product throws convention out the window—literally, because it has crank windows.
Unveiled in Los Angeles during a Thursday event, the Slate Truck is popping heads not due to outlandish performance figures or cutting-edge tech, but due to its radical simplicity. Funded partially by Jeff Bezos, the Slate Truck is positioned as an electrical workhorse stripped all the way down to the essentials, created for individuals who just want something honest, functional, and reasonably priced.
Back to Basics, Boldly
Slate CEO Chris Barman summed up the corporate’s ethos: “The definition of what’s reasonably priced is broken.” And Slate isn’t just talking—they’re acting. The truck is available in only one trim: a two-door, two-seat single cab, rear-wheel drive, and finished in—you guessed it—slate gray. That monochrome approach is a component of a bigger mission to chop production costs while offering consumers a blank canvas for personalisation.
Inside, the simplicity continues. No infotainment screen. No high-tech wizardry. Only a universal phone/tablet mount and optional speakers. You may even toss a Bluetooth speaker on the dash if you happen to’re feeling retro. Climate controls are old-school manual dials, and yes, the windows crank. It’s nostalgic in a way that feels refreshingly honest in today’s touchscreen-drenched market.
Electric Where It Counts
Powering the Slate Truck is a single rear-mounted electric motor delivering 201 horsepower and a healthy 295 lb-ft of torque. The bottom 52.7-kWh battery pack is nice for an estimated 150 miles of range. For those needing more, an optional 84.3-kWh “accessory” battery boosts range to 240 miles. Zero to 60 mph takes a modest 8 seconds, and top speed is proscribed to 90 mph—good enough for every day errands and weekend dump runs.
The chassis setup is equally down-to-earth: MacPherson struts up front and a De Dion rear axle—a layout seen in vehicles just like the Mercedes G-Wagen. Steel wheels and 245/65R17 tires round out the rugged look. And despite its simplicity, safety hasn’t been forgotten. Autonomous emergency braking and forward-collision warning are standard, and the optional SUV conversion kit adds rear airbags.
Size That Suits the City
At just 174.6 inches long, the Slate Truck is shorter than a Honda Civic Hatchback and significantly smaller than the Ford Maverick. It’s compact enough for urban driving but still manages to pack a 5-foot bed and a 7-cubic-foot front trunk. Total curb weight is a lean 3,602 kilos, though its payload (1,433 lbs) and tow rating (1,000 lbs) are modest. Still, it’s clear this truck isn’t attempting to out-haul a Silverado—it’s built for simplicity, not scale.
Customize It Your Way
Perhaps probably the most intriguing a part of the Slate Truck is the accessories. Slate plans to supply a big selection of customization options—from color wraps to a “fastback” cap that makes the pickup resemble a classic Range Rover. There’s even a kit that transforms the truck right into a five-seat SUV. A few of these upgrades are designed to be DIY-friendly, while others may be installed professionally.
Slate will bypass the normal dealership model, selling on to consumers and organising regional service centers to handle maintenance. It’s a move geared toward cutting overhead and reducing the standard headaches of auto ownership.
Cautious Optimism Amid Big Ambitions
After all, big questions remain. Slate Auto is a startup entering some of the difficult and capital-intensive industries on this planet. Manufacturing vehicles at scale—even easy ones—is an enormous task. And with federal EV tax credits prone to change or phase out, that eye-catching sub-$20K price could also be difficult to take care of.
But there’s a transparent gap available in the market. Americans still want reasonably priced vehicles, and the pickup segment stays wildly popular. If Slate can deliver, even at a rather higher price point, the Truck could change into a cult favorite. It’s not nearly transportation—it’s a throwback to the sort of honest, durable, personal vehicle that many feel the trendy automobile market has left behind.
In an era dominated by touchscreen every thing, the Slate Truck’s analog soul could be just what the electrical age needs.
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This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
