Slate Auto has one of the weirdest electric vehicle debuts we have seen this year. The EV company backed by Jeff Bezos has rolled out its new model: the Slate Truck. Turning heads on the Venice streets in California, this throwback-style EV is quite controversial with a sub-$20,000 starting price, assuming federal EV tax credits remain intact.
From DIY kits to crank windows, Slate is embracing full contrarianism — and that's precisely what might make it a success.
Budget EV With A Twist: What the Slate Truck Has to Offer
Referred to as the Blank Slate, this truck is all about "accessible personalization" rather than flashy technology. According to The Autopian, customers can transform the pickup into an SUV or an open-top adventure vehicle with flat-pack accessory kits, without having to break the bank.
Purchasers have the option of two battery options:
- 57.2 kWh battery (RWD) with a 150-mile range
- 84.3 kWh battery with a 240-mile range
NACS charging is supported, reaching 80% in less than 30 minutes at up to 120 kW. For performance, the Slate Truck accelerates to 0–60 mph in 8 seconds with a 201 hp motor and has a top speed of 90 mph.
Back-to-Basics Interior and Build: No-Frills, All Function
Inside, the truck ditches infotainment systems for a plug-in phone or tablet. There are no power windows to be found here; Slate prefers manual cranks, HVAC knobs, and 17-inch steel wheels. Even paint is substituted with custom body wraps.
In all simplicity, Slate still plans on achieving 5-star safety ratings, with active emergency braking, collision warning, and up to eight airbags in the mix.
The $20K EV Dream: Can Slate Make It Happen?
Though the specs are tempting, the $20,000 price tag is perhaps unrealistic, according to Ars Technica. If tax credits evaporate under the policies of a new administration, the actual cost could rise over $27,500. Plus, much of the hardware — including batteries and knobs — will undoubtedly be imported from China and thus subject to tariffs.
Slate asserts it will assemble its trucks in the U.S., with a "reindustrialized" facility at Troy, Michigan. Dozens of job postings suggest the amount of engineering and manufacturing still required to reach production by late 2026.
DIY Kits and Liability
The firm has not explained how it will guarantee DIY SUV kits with items such as roll cages and airbags to crash standards. Without a dealer network such as Ford or Jeep, Slate might not be able to offer support for users working on these modifications at home.
Will Gen Z Buy In?
Another open question: will younger consumers pay for a retro EV that has no tech but has plenty of charm? As trends swing toward rentals, rideshares, and subscriptions, Slate may turn toward weekend rentals or fleet models, even Amazon collaborations.
According to Parents, some young people are exploring the not-so-techie devices. While some could own a car, they may also want to rent a vehicle instead.
The Slate Truck is perhaps the most ambitious effort to make EVs cool, customizable, and actually affordable. But bringing conceptual to consumer-proof products will involve surmounting supplier issues, and regulatory challenges, and demonstrating hard evidence of real-world market demand.
Nevertheless, if Slate succeeds, it may revolutionize what an entry-level EV is and does — and at a price the public will finally embrace.
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