Slate Truck
| Slate Truck | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Slate Auto |
| Production | Expected in Q4 2026 |
| Assembly | United States: Warsaw, Indiana[1] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door pickup truck |
| Layout | Rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Electric motor | 150 kW permanent magnet synchronous |
| Power output | 201 hp (150 kW; 204 PS) |
| Transmission | Single-speed gear reduction |
| Battery | |
| Electric range | 150–240 mi (240–390 km) (manu. est. based on EPA) |
| Plug-in charging |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,766 mm (108.9 in) |
| Length | 4,435 mm (174.6 in) |
| Width | 1,793 mm (70.6 in) |
| Height | 1,760 mm (69.3 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,634 kg (3,602 lb) |
The Slate Truck is an upcoming 2-door battery-electric pickup truck to be manufactured by Slate Auto. The model was revealed on April 24, 2025.[3]
Overview
[edit]The Slate Truck is an electric pickup truck made to be bare-bones and is designed to be customizable. The starting price is under $28,000, advertised as being under $20,000 after electric vehicle purchase incentives, which will make it one of the cheapest EVs in the United States when sales commence in 2026.[4]
Powertrain
[edit]The Slate Truck uses a single rear-mounted motor producing 201 horsepower (150 kW; 204 PS) and 195 pound-feet (264 N⋅m) of torque. Two battery sizes are available: a 52.7 kWh battery, providing an estimated 150 miles (240 km) of range, and an 84.3 kWh battery, with an estimated 240 miles (390 km) of range.[5]
MacPherson struts are used for the front suspension while a deDion axle with coil springs is used in the rear axle.
Features
[edit]The Slate Truck's base configuration, called the "Blank Slate", does not include an infotainment system, speakers, or power windows. All units are produced with the same unpainted gray polypropylene exterior, with vinyl wraps as the only offered way to change the exterior color. A phone mount is standard, and a tablet mount is optional. The Blank Slate configuration has fabric armrests and physical climate controls. The company plans to offer a large number of accessories for professional or DIY installation.[6]
Unlike most vehicles sold in the United States, the Slate Truck is not expected to have any Internet connectivity; instead, customers are expected to use their own mobile device for audio streaming, navigation, and over-the-air updates for their trucks.[7]
Alternate bodystyles
[edit]All Slate Truck models will be produced as pickup trucks. The company will offer accessories to convert the vehicle into a 3-door, 5-seat SUV with a traditional squared-off roof or a fastback roof.[8]
Reactions
[edit]In May 2025, Slate said that it had accepted 100,000 refundable reservations for its truck in the three weeks since it was unveiled, compared with 250,000 reservations for the Tesla Cybertruck in its first week, and 68,000 reservations for the Rivian R2 within 24 hours of its announcement.[9]
A writer for The Verge noted that other EV startups, including Fisker Automotive, Vinfast, and Faraday Future, had struggled financially or failed; Jeremy Snyder, Slate's chief commercial officer, said that the company expects to reach cash flow positivity "very shortly after the start of production."[6] An executive analyst at Cox Automotive said that she did not see the Slate Truck as a "massive volume seller" due to its size, minimal equipment, and short base range.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ Stevens, Tim (April 29, 2025). "Slate Auto confirms where it'll build its $20,000 Truck". The Verge. Archived from the original on April 29, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
- ^ Levin, Tim (April 27, 2025). "Why The Slate Truck Doesn't Use LFP Batteries". InsideEVs. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
- ^ Golson, Daniel (April 25, 2025). "Slate Auto Unveils Refreshingly Simple And Small Two-Seat Electric Truck Designed To Be Customized, Starting Under $27,500". jalopnik.com.
- ^ Fink, Greg (April 24, 2025). "2027 Slate Truck EV Will Be Very Customizable, Priced Under $28,000". caranddriver.com.
- ^ Leanse, Alex (April 24, 2025). "2027 Slate Truck First Look: The $27,000 Pickup Ready for DIY Dreams". motortrend.com.
- ^ a b Stevens, Tim (April 24, 2025). "The $20,000 American-made electric pickup with no paint, no stereo, and no touchscreen". theverge.com.
- ^ Levin, Tim (April 24, 2025). "Slate's Affordable EV Truck Has No Screen, Uses Your Phone For Updates". InsideEVs. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
- ^ Dent, Steve (April 25, 2025). "Slate Auto unveils its US-made barebones electric pickup costing just $20,000". engadget.com.
- ^ Reuter, Dominick (May 14, 2025). "The 'anti-Cybertruck' Slate EV appears off to a strong start". Business Insider. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ Ulrich, Lawrence (May 13, 2025). "Is the Answer to Expensive Cars a Pickup Truck Without Power Windows?". The New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2025.