Insight on the Affordable Electric Vehicle Truck with a Fresh Start, Dubbed the Clean Slate
In an era of premium-priced electric vehicles with complex features, the Slate Truck stands out by focusing on essential functionality and opportunities for personalisation. This compact, cost-effective electric pickup truck is designed as a minimalist, practical solution for urban and light commercial use.
Slate Auto, an American startup, has repurposed a former printing plant for manufacturing the Slate Truck. The vehicle's unique proposition in the EV market may redefine expectations for what an electric pickup can be as production approaches.
The Slate Truck is equipped with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can choose between a 52.7 kWh battery offering an estimated 150-mile range, and an 84.3 kWh battery extending the range to approximately 240 miles.
The interior of the Slate Truck includes fabric armrests and physical climate controls. Surprisingly, the vehicle features manual crank windows, no built-in infotainment system, and an unpainted gray polypropylene exterior. However, vinyl wraps for colour customisation are available instead of traditional paint options.
The Slate Truck has a modular design, offering accessory kits that allow owners to convert the vehicle into a three-door, five-seat SUV with either a traditional squared-off roof or a fastback design. Notably, at launch, only rear-wheel drive is available, but all-wheel drive may be planned for future models.
The Slate Truck supports AC charging at 11 kW and DC fast charging at 120 kW via a NACS connector. It has a cargo bed that is 5 feet long, offering 35 cu. ft. of cargo volume, and a front trunk providing an additional 7 cu. ft. of storage. The payload capacity is 650 kg (approx. 1,433 lbs), depending on the battery option, and the towing capacity is 454 kg (approx. 1,000 lbs), suitable for light-duty use but lower than most traditional pickups.
The Slate Truck is positioned as an accessible, minimalist electric pickup, balancing cost, functionality, and urban practicality for a niche segment seeking a lightweight, efficient alternative to traditional trucks. Notable investors, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, have provided substantial funding for Slate Auto to bring the Slate Truck to market.
The company aims to produce 150,000 units annually and create approximately 2,000 jobs. The base price of the Slate Truck is under $28,000, which can drop below $20,000 with federal incentives. The Slate Truck has garnered over 100,000 refundable reservations within three weeks of its unveiling in April 2025.
Slate Auto plans to manufacture the Slate Truck in a 1.4 million square foot facility in Warsaw, Indiana, starting late 2026, with deliveries expected to begin in 2027 for the US market and 2026 for the UK market. The Slate Truck's commitment to simplicity, affordability, and customisation positions it as a compelling option for consumers seeking a practical entry point into electric vehicle ownership.
- Slate Auto, an American entrepreneurship venture, has transformed a former manufacturing industry facility into a production hub for the Slate Truck.
- The Slate Truck, a compact electric vehicle, could redefine expectations for electric pickup industry standards as business production nears.
- The electric-vehicles equipped Slate Truck will be financed through substantial investments from notable personalities like Jeff Bezos, an Amazon entrepreneur.
- In technology terms, the Slate Truck features essential functionalities like manual crank windows, fabric armrests, and physical climate controls, resonating with a lifestyle that values simplicity and practicality.
- The automotive innovation, the Slate Truck, is poised to enter the market in late 2026, offering a cost-effective, minimalist electric-vehicle alternative, particularly appealing to urban dwellers and small business owners.
