Slate says its pickup will cost less than $20,000 after federal incentives. Here’s everything you need to know.
- A new automobile company called Slate emerged into public view on Thursday.
- The target entry-level price for this pickup falls under $20,000 once federal incentives are taken into account.
- Slate’s minimalistic truck comes with manual windows and lacks a screen, however, the company plans to provide numerous add-ons.
Word of a brand-new electric-vehicle startup might call to mind the strange days of the COVID era, when headlines were jam-packed with all sorts of Tesla wannabes. Some
went public
without a tangible product or even a penny in revenue. Unsurprisingly, most do so.
never quite took off
. Some straight-up
crashed and burned
.
On Thursday, Slate surfaced as a distinct type of electric vehicle (EV) start-up aiming to reintroduce affordability into America’s automotive industry. This objective begins with a straightforward yet highly customizable two-door pickup truck, which Slate asserts will have a price tag under $20,000 once subsidies are applied.
federal EV tax credit
.
“The heart of the market that we’re going into is more the wage earner, the mass population,” Chris Barman, Slate’s CEO, told
InsideEVs
There’s a large number of people out there searching for an affordable car.
The startup was founded in 2022, and one could argue its timing couldn’t be better. Car prices in this country never recovered from the supply squeeze of the pandemic and have remained way out of hand. A record share of American car buyers—
nearly 20%
—now sign up for 84-month car loans. The average monthly payment for a new vehicle has stabilized at around $750.
On the other hand, a typical battery-operated ride will cost you.
an eye-watering $60,000
That significantly hinders the attempt to part ways with gasoline. Tesla once mentioned a $25,000 electric vehicle, but similar to many of the company’s ambitious pledges, this one has not come to fruition.
What Is the Slate Truck?
Last week, I attended a sneak peek event for Slate’s new truck in Los Angeles. The firm’s innovative strategy for establishing an electric vehicle enterprise extends beyond merely producing an affordable set of wheels. Below are the key points.
It’s delightfully compact, measuring 174.6 inches in length or more.
two feet shorter
It resembles the two-door pickup trucks from another time—a period before Toyota Tacomas and Ford Rangers became larger. This vehicle features a five-foot bed, a seven-cubic-foot front trunk, and a straightforward, functional design.
It employs a solitary motor driving the rear wheels, producing approximately 200 horsepower. Equipped with the supplied 52.7-kilowatt-hour battery, it’s estimated to provide about 150 miles of range—while not impressive, Slate notes that this model is primarily designed for city use rather than long-distance travel.
“We acknowledge that this isn’t suitable for everyone, particularly if they frequently travel long distances,” stated Barman, who has been with Chrysler for a long time.
The optional 84.3-kWh pack gets you a healthier 240 miles of range. Battery cells will be made by the South Korean battery company SK On.
The Slate vehicle has a maximum charging power of 120 kilowatts and can go from 20% to 80% charge in approximately 30 minutes—which is average. However, one positive aspect is that it will be equipped with the Tesla-developed NACS connector right out of the factory. Slate has not yet confirmed this information.
Tesla Supercharger access
for its customers, but that’s likely in the cards.
The automaker has backers that include Amazon founder Jeff Bezos,
TechCrunch
first reported
and Slate confirmed. It plans to take over a plant somewhere in the Midwest and kick off production toward the end of 2026. By late 2027 or early 2028, once production is in full swing, Barman expects Slate will be churning out 150,000 vehicles annually.
By Thursday, it started accepting refundable deposits from anyone interested in securing a place in line. While Slate hasn’t provided exact details on pricing, they have mentioned that it will fall within the range of several tens of thousands of dollars and go under $20,000 once the electric vehicle tax credit is applied. Considering these estimates, one can reasonably speculate that the base model might cost up to around $27,499 without additional features. It’s here that the extras begin to complicate matters.
really
interesting.
A Transforming Truck
Slate’s truck stands out due to its surprisingly minimal standard features, yet it provides nearly endless possibilities for customizations.
The company chose to simplify production and reduce the vehicle’s price by offering only one model that can be customized afterward. This approach is termed a single “SKU” by Slate, which stands for stock-keeping unit. In contrast, most cars usually come with numerous variations such as multiple paint shades, wheel designs, accessory packs, interior options, among others, before leaving the factory floor.
We’re returning the control of customization to our customers,” stated Eric Keipper, who leads engineering at Slate. “This allows them to customize gradually and add the features they desire according to their own schedule and financial means.
The “Blank Slate” truck features black steel rims along with just one exterior hue: gray. This model includes a small display located behind the steering wheel which integrates both the speedometer and backup camera functions. Manual roll-up windows and an interior dominated by plastic components are standard equipment. The vehicle lacks an infotainment touchscreen; instead, it offers a place for your phone and an accompanying application. Additionally, there is neither a radio nor built-in speakers, central console, or even door compartments provided.
Every vehicle leaves the factory just like that.
The interesting bit is what happens next. Customers will be able to select from over 100 accessories at launch, and not just familiar stuff like wheels, tires and interior materials. You want an SUV instead of a truck? That’s an add-on kit that installs with just a few hours of elbow grease. There are two of those: a boxy one resembling a shrunken Land Rover Defender, and another with a slanted, fastback design.
Buyers can arrange for a “service partner” to install accessories for them, or more adventurous owners can save cash by DIY-ing the upgrades in their driveways. Plus, owners can buy accessories at any time, be it at the time of purchase or down the line. You can start with a stripped-down truck on steelies and slowly work your way up. One day, you might have a lifted, five-seat SUV with a leather interior and fender flares. And, if you get sick of anything, you can pop it off and try something else.
That’s the idea, anyway.
The company is developing an instructional content library called Slate University that teaches owners how to, say, install a roof rack or pop off a body panel. In fact, the truck’s access points and accessories were designed with DIY-ers in mind. A lot of stuff is held together by regular-old Allen bolts.
Other noteworthy accessories include daytime running light covers with designs etched into them, and vinyl wrap kits in any color. The company says those wraps are straightforward for even amateurs to apply thanks to the truck’s many “coach lines,” or breaks in the body work.
For the truck’s cabin, Slate will provide add-ons such as door compartments, digital window controls, audio systems that integrate into the dashboard and connect with your phone using Bluetooth, a secure glove compartment, and a central storage unit. Additionally, you can choose from an array of seat cover options featuring different hues and textures, including models equipped with heating features.
If you wish to create a makeshift infotainment setup for this simple vehicle, you could purchase accessories designed to mount an iPad along with portable speakers onto the dashboard. For a playful yet less practical addition, consider “Slatelets”—small tiles that fit into a groove on the dashboard, similar to how you might add decorations to your Crocs.
Now Begins The Difficult Phase
Slate has developed an appealing platform and an intriguing idea. The challenging phase now lies ahead: establishing a car company while sidestepping the traps that derailed previous newcomers. Starting from zero is both difficult and costly, which is why the most recent automotive “start-up” prior to Tesla to survive long-term was Chrysler, established back in 1925.
Given the affordable price point of this product, Slate must achieve substantial sales volume to generate enough revenue for profitability and breaking even. Up until now, aside from Tesla, no American car manufacturer has managed to sell 150,000 electric vehicles in one year.
Hyundai and General Motors are getting nearer.
Increasing automobile manufacturing capacity is among the more challenging obstacles faced by electric vehicle start-ups—a hurdle that notably brought Tesla close to bankruptcy during the initial phases of Model 3 production.
According to Slate executives, the company is well-prepared for expansion without encountering problems due to its streamlined vehicles and production processes.
The number of parts in our vehicle is significantly lower compared to competitors. This makes it considerably simpler to ensure accuracy during production at the manufacturing plant,” Keipper stated. “Additionally, from an engineering standpoint, this enabled us to concentrate solely on this one stock-keeping unit, allowing us to fine-tune its quality.
It must also persuade sufficient purchasers to risk investing in an untested marque. Pricing and customizability should certainly aid this effort. However, the expense of Slate’s assorted add-ons remains unknown. This pricing will eventually decide how well the electric vehicle measures up gram for gram against competitors. Whether a Slate sport utility vehicle equipped with a 240-mile battery pack along with minor internal enhancements can compete with offerings such as the
Chevrolet Equinox EV
?
What if Donald Trump manages to get Congress to
cut the $7,500 incentive for buying plug-in cars
That is a major factor behind Slate’s affordable starting cost.
It remains to be seen whether this ambitious plan will prove successful. However, Slate introduces a novel—and potentially crucially necessary—method to the electric vehicle sector.
Have information regarding the electric vehicle sector? Reach out to the author:
[email protected]
More About Slate:
- Slate’s Budget-Friendly Electric Vehicle Pickup Boasts Screenless Design, Relies on Your Smartphone for Updates
- Here’s How Slate’s Truck Transforms Into An SUV
| Slate Truck | |
| Base Price | Below $20,000 (with $7,500 tax credit) |
| Battery | 52.7 kWh (standard), 84.3 kWh (available as an option) |
| Charge Type | NACS |
| Drive Type | Single Motor, RWD |
| EV Range | 150 miles (estimated), 240 miles (estimated with larger pack) |
| Length | 174.6 inches |
| Maximum speed | 90 mph |
| Payload | 1433 lbs |
| Output | 201 hp |
| Seating Capacity | 2 |
