Slate Auto, a new company backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has unveiled as a fresh addition to American-produced EVs. It aims to disrupt the existing EV market with its affordable, modular, and highly customizable appeal for budget-conscious buyers. Jeff Bezos invested in the Slate Auto electric truck, which further enhances the company’s credibility and provides strong financial backing.
First and foremost, Slate found that the biggest problem with electric vehicles in the prevailing market was price. Most EVs cost too much for the average consumer. That is why they unveiled their own electric pickup truck that is, I kid you not, under $20,000 with federal incentives.
Slate extensively customizes the truck and has an approach for minimal design, positioning it as an “Anti-Tesla” alternative. Customizations include vinyl wrapping, modular accessories, and more. The minimalist, vintage design avoids the hassle of complex tech for simplicity and cost efficiency. It serves as an “Anti-Tesla” option symbolizing its analog and practical focus over high tech, expensive features.
Let’s dive into this interesting startup that could revolutionize what electric vehicles could be!
Slate Auto Electric Truck: Under the Hood
Meanwhile, the Slate truck is a powerhouse of a vehicle at this price range. It comes as a compact size pickup that owners can TURN INTO AN SUV! Slate offers it in a ‘Core’ model that serves as a ‘slate’ on which owners can attach modular accessories to meet their requirements. It emphasizes practical performance and a minimalist approach to electric vehicles.
The Electric Heart: Battery, Range, & Performance
The Slate truck boasts a 52.7 kWh battery. It delivers 150 miles (241 km) in range, making it suitable for daily commutes and short trips. However, Slate also offers an upgraded battery model with a whopping 84.3 kWh capacity. This larger battery survives up to 240 miles (386 km) of range, making it more practical for everyday use, especially long drives.
In terms of performance, the 150 kW rear-axle motor produces 201 horsepower, making it a decent performing piece of equipment. The motor provides adequate power for urban and suburban use. The 0-60 in 8 seconds suffices for merging and city driving. The top speed of this vehicle reaches 90 mph (145 km), which shows how designers prioritize efficiency over high-speed performance.
Hence, craftsmen meticulously designed this electric machine with daily use and efficient performance in mind. It stands as a reliable and cost-effective daily use masterpiece.
A Compact Machine: Size, Capacity, and Storage
The Slate truck features a compact shaped modular SUV with specific dimensions:
- Length: 4.43 meters
- Width: 1.79 meters
- Height: 1.76 meters
- Wheelbase: 2.77 meters
This truck suits daily city challenges like parking and maneuvering in urban areas. The Slate truck’s dimensions run smaller than most modern trucks like Ford F-150, making it DIFFERENT! Despite that, the 2.77 meters wheelbase ensures vehicle stability for light roads and a pleasant ride.
The vehicle can hold up to 1,634 kg of weight, lighter than most EVs, improving efficiency. It carries:
- 650 kg of payloads, supporting small cargoes
- 454 kg of towing, ideal for small trailers or gear
As for storage, the truck has a pretty decent trunk and frunk space. It features a 1.52 meter bed. This bed provides 1.05 cubic meters of space to accommodate standard cargo like lumber or bikes. The truck also includes a 0.2 cubic meter frunk with a drain. This makes it suitable for wet items, adding versatility. The storage design enhances practicality for work and leisure.
The main differentiator between the Slate truck and other modern trucks lies in its minimalism and simplistic approach. The Slate truck offers vintage features reflecting 1980’s pickups, which consumers loved for their simplicity and affordability. Slate’s size avoids the bulk of modern pickup trucks, appealing to nostalgic buyers.
Slate Auto Electric Pickup: Revolutionary Features and Customization
Slate has enabled multiple possibilities for customizability and personalization. Buyers can fine-tune their vehicle to match their personality and their liking with modular accessories, vinyl wraps and more. The company emphasizes its “blank slate” philosophy and affordability while being visually appealing.
The “Blank Slate” Philosophy
Slate Auto introduces the “blank slate” concept for vehicle personalization. It ships with a gray finish and basic interior, designed for vinyl wrapping starting at $500. The simple gray finish helps:
- Reduce production costs by eliminating paint options
- Offer flexibility with endless color and design possibilities
- Provide environmental benefits over traditional painting
The wraps start at $500, with three levels of customization available. The lack of paint requirement is more environmentally friendly, lowers regulatory hurdles and makes it very easy to shake up its appearance for a fresher look.
Moreover, the Slate truck offers 100+ accessories and “starter packs” for simplified yet personal customization. Accessories include:
- Bed liners
- Roof racks
- Interior upgrades
Or you could choose from the starter packs with bundle accessories for multiple use cases. These accessories can be installed by service centers for a professional installation or by consumers themselves, IF THEY FEEL LIKE EINSTEIN!
Modular Design and SUV Conversion
The Slate pickup truck has a very unique ability of transforming into an SUV using its innovative flat-pack accessory kit. The flat-pack SUV kit includes:
- Roll cage
- Airbags
- Rear seats to convert this duo-seat pickup into a five-seat family SUV
This kit can transform the truck in hours, not days, while accommodating families or larger group outings. The roll cage and airbags ensure the safety of the passengers in the SUV mode.
Furthermore, this modularity and versatility enhances the functionality of the vehicle, appealing to buyers with varied needs, like work and family trips. It also sets Slate apart from the existing ‘rigid’ EV designs.
The Vintage Approach
To accommodate the truck’s focus on affordability and durability, Slate has decided to scrap out the extra tech-heavy features. They go for a more ‘NO-FRILLS’ approach! The truck uses analog features like:
- Manual windows
- A smartphone mount instead of an infotainment screen
- Physical climate controls that prove more intuitive than touchscreens
Nevertheless, the analog approach does not compromise on safety features. The car comes equipped with modern standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and up to eight airbags with the SUV kit.
This minimalist design prioritizes cost efficiency from the fewer electronics required. It helps lower the purchase price. Durability also factors into the production of this car, making it suitable for buyers in harsh climates or work environments. These choices not only help lower costs but make the Slate truck more appealing to practical buyers.
Slate Auto Electric Pickup: Pricing, Production, and Market Impact
Slate strategically prices the pickup truck to disrupt the current market. The sub-$20,000 price tag after federal incentives targets middle-class and working-class buyers. This affordability rivals gas-powered compact trucks and offers a more eco-friendly option.
Slate’s CEO Chris Barman states: “We’re creating the budget-friendly vehicle that has long been anticipated.” This symbolizes the demand for affordable, eco-friendly alternatives to existing gas vehicles.
The company plans to start production of this vehicle in 2026 at a central Indiana factory, with a direct-to-consumer sales model. The decision to use a factory in Indiana supports U.S. manufacturing and establishes new job opportunities. Direct sales bypass dealership markups, which further reduce costs.
To ensure customer convenience, Slate offers:
- A $50 refundable reservation fee for a low-risk, secured spot
- A nationwide service network for maintenance accessibility
- A Customer Experience Center near the factory
Slate Auto implements a North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging port which adds fast-charging capability. The NACS port ensures compatibility with Tesla and other networks. The fast charging (80% in under 30 minutes at 120 kW) supports long trips with minimal downtime. An overnight household charging suffices for daily commuting needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Slate Auto electric truck’s affordability, customization, and practical design make it a game-changer for budget-conscious EV buyers. It prioritizes function over flash. The extensive modularity and customization features transform this truck into a versatile vehicle. Jeff Bezos’ backing promises resources for production and growth. The truck aims to disrupt the market with its leadership focus.
For reservations and more details, cruise over to Slate Auto’s website and follow our posts for more info like this about automobiles and startups.
Check out articles on the Slate Auto Pickup Truck on TechCrunch and Hagerty too.
What do you think about the Slate Auto electric pickup truck? Would you pick one up? Share your thoughts in the comments below!