Millions of American motorists have been priced out of the new vehicle market, all the more so when it comes to EVs which currently average about $55,000 apiece. But Slate Auto, a new start-up backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is determined to change that equation. On Thursday, it gave the world a first look at a flexible new, all-electric pickup set to go on sale in 2026. Designed to be extremely customizable, it’s expected to start under $20,000 when you factor in federal EV tax credits. Headlight.News was there for the big debut.
The Slate Auto pickup will come in below $20,000 with federal tax credits.
“The definition of what’s affordable is broken,” said Chris Barman , a former Fiat Chrysler executive who’s now CEO of Slate Auto.
Based in the Detroit suburb of Troy, Michigan, the EV start-up has some big money behind it, key backers including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Starting next hear, Slate will begin rolling out a little pickup that could impact the auto industry much the way Amazon did American retailing, by making it not only easier to shop for a vehicle, but also more affordable.
Its subcompact truck will start around $25,000. That drops to less than $20,000 once you factor in federal tax credits. That’s barely a third of what the average EV went for during the first quarter of this year – and it could reverse the current slowdown in growth of the EV market. If anything, Slate aims to not only win over those looking for an affordable EV, but budget-minded buyers seeking a new – or used – gas model.
What’s a Slate Auto
The basic Slate pickup will be a simple affair. Want infotainment? Plug in your smartphone or tablet.
Until recently, the company offered little insight into its plans other than saying on its LinkedIn site that it was “exploring opportunities in the electric vehicle space.”
On Thursday, final broke its silence, providing a first close look at its first product: “a beautifully simplified EV 2-seat pickup, produced in a single configuration from the factory.” With just one row, it measures just 174.6 inches in total length and a 108.9-inch wheelbase. That’s even smaller than the two smallest trucks currently offered in the U.S.: the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz – both of which have two rows and four doors.
Decidedly simple – the base version features steel wheels and hand-cranked windows. Slate aims to repeat the success manufacturers had back in the 1960s and ‘70s, when stripped-down pickups like the Datsun 520 and Chevy Luv won the hearts of cash-strapped young Baby Boomers.
There’s a digital instrument panel but, if you want an infotainment system you’ll have to pair up your smartphone or tablet.
A “Blank Slate”
With a wide range of accessories, Slate Auto claims buyers will be able to transform their pickup into an SUV.
Buyers will be able to transform the Slate pickup into a variety of alternative configurations with more than 100 accessories available at launch. One accessory kit will turn it into a sporty, 5-seat SUV, complete with rear seat, airbags and a roll cage.
While the truck will be offered only with a single powertrain layout, a single-motor generating 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque – enough to handle a 1,400-lb payload, Slate will offer two different battery options:
- A 52.7-kWh battery pack delivering up to 150 miles per charge;
- or an optional 84.3 kWh battery boosting range to an estimated 240 miles.
Both versions adopt the Tesla-style NACS charger port, allowing owners to plug into the expansive Tesla Supercharger network as well as those operated by other charger brands. That should go a long way to overcome range and charger anxiety. Using a home 240-volt system will take a full night to recharge, but Slate claims owners will go from a 10 to 80% state-of-charge using a public DC quick charger in “under 30 minutes.
Pricing and availability
Interested shoppers will be able to place advance reservations starting now at slate.auto.
As to timing and other details? Stay tuned we’ll have more to say after the Slate Auto news conference Thursday night.
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