Slate Truck: A $25K EV Pickup That Is Wildly Customizable

If you are in the market for a new truck but can’t deal with the astronomical prices these days, the upcoming Slate Truck might be just the ticket for you. This compact EV pickup is built for those who appreciate simplicity, rugged functionality, and the ability to truly make a vehicle their own, allowing them to keep prices low. And it’s small (similar in size to a 1985 Toyota SR5 Pickup, with only two seats), since not everyone wants/needs a giant truck. Still, it gives you the ability to haul stuff on occasion thanks to its modest bed.

Reportedly backed by Jeff Bezos and loaded with practical innovations, this minimalist electric pickup could be exactly what today’s man needs. So let’s dive into what makes the Slate Truck so exciting and why everyone is buzzing about it.

Built for the Basics, Priced for the People

Slate Auto is a new American company founded on a disruptive business model of simplifying the manufacturing process and removing unnecessary content to reduce cost and increase reliability. Founded with the belief that the definition of “affordable” has been broken by today’s auto industry, Slate is bringing something different to the table.

Their new truck is a compact, rear-wheel-drive electric pickup that starts at just under $27,500 — and after federal tax incentives, you could be driving it home for under $20,000. That’s a far cry from the EV truck offerings from Ford, GM, or Rivian, which all cost at least 3X as much.

Here’s what you get for the money:

• Motor: Single 150kW (201 hp) motor
• Battery options: 52.7 kWh pack (150-mile range) or 84.3 kWh pack (240-mile range)
• Payload capacity: 1,433 lbs
• Towing capacity: 1,000 lbs
• Bed size: 5-foot bed standard, up to 81.6 inches with tailgate down

Charging is made easy thanks to a North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector. Fast-charging from 20% to 80% takes about 30 minutes at 120 kW.

The Anti-Tesla: No Screens, No Frills

Tired of massive screens and software updates just to adjust your A/C? Slate gets it. The base model, called the “Blank Slate,” comes intentionally stripped down: no touchscreen, no radio or speakers, and crank windows instead of electric ones. Physical HVAC knobs, a universal phone mount, and USB power are standard, allowing you to bring your own tech if you want it.

Rather than forcing you into expensive packages of features you might never use, Slate offers over 100 modular accessories you can add individually or in bundles — whenever you want. This includes a $5,000 flat-pack SUV conversion kit, which transforms the truck into a 5-seat SUV with a roll cage, extra airbags, and rear seats.

It’s an interesting concept, getting people into their trucks at a low price point (possibly even at a loss), and then making it up on accessories, since most people will want to customize their rides and make it their own. Only time will tell if this strategy works out for them or not.

Even the exterior is DIY-friendly: the Slate Truck comes in unpainted gray polypropylene, making it ideal for a custom wrap. Whether you do it yourself or hire a pro, wrapping is an affordable way to create different, inventive looks over time.

Safety First, Always

Despite its back-to-basics ethos, Slate Auto didn’t skimp on safety. Every truck comes standard with:

• Active Emergency Braking
• Forward Collision Warning
• Up to 8 airbags
• Traction Control
• Electronic Stability Control
• Reversing camera

They’re designing the Slate Truck to meet the highest safety ratings, so you can drive with real confidence.

Transparent Pricing, Made in America

Slate Auto is playing it straight with transparent pricing — a refreshing change from today’s confusing EV landscape. Reservations are open now with a refundable $50 deposit, with the truck slated to hit roads in 2027. Production will take place at a revitalized manufacturing facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, with a Customer Experience Center built alongside it.

Sales will be direct-to-consumer, letting you order online and pick up your new truck nearby, with a service network that covers major neighborhoods.

Quick Specs at a Glance

*Note: Final specs and pricing may change slightly as Slate moves closer to production launch.

Final Thoughts

Right now, there’s a lot of hype behind the Slate Truck, as it offers an incredibly appealing mix of affordability, utility, customizability, and American-made toughness.

Ford proved that there’s a huge market for cheap pickup trucks with the Ford Maverick, which has been a runaway hit. But those are decently equipped and are quick & easy to refuel.

While the Slate Truck’s price is a huge selling point, have they gone TOO minimalistic (steel wheels, crank windows, no radio/speakers, unpainted body, etc), or is this exactly what people have been waiting for, a Chipotle on wheels where you choose what you want?

Let us know what you think of the Slate Truck!