Slate Unveils Revolutionary Affordable Electric Truck with Modular Design
Backed by Jeff Bezos, Slate Auto reveals a transformable electric truck starting at $20,000 after incentives, featuring innovative modular design and customization options
In a bold move set to disrupt the electric vehicle market, Slate Auto has revealed its highly anticipated electric truck, backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and designed to make electric vehicles accessible to the masses. With a starting price of just $20,000 after federal incentives, the Slate truck represents a radical departure from traditional electric vehicles, emphasizing simplicity, affordability, and customization.
Revolutionary Modular Design
The Slate truck’s most distinctive feature is its modular design, which allows it to transform from a two-door pickup truck into a five-seat SUV using a flat-pack conversion kit. The vehicle’s “blank slate” approach starts with a basic gray exterior and stripped-down interior, but offers over 100 customizable accessories that owners can install themselves or have fitted at Slate service centers.
Specifications and Features
The compact truck measures about two-thirds the size of a Chevrolet Silverado EV and is slightly smaller than a Ford Maverick, making it comparable to a 1985 Toyota pickup in dimensions. Key specifications include:
- Base range: 150 miles
- Extended range option: Up to 240 miles
- Payload capacity: 1,400 pounds
- Length: Under 15 feet
- Basic configuration: Two-door pickup
- Optional configuration: Five-seat SUV
Minimalist Approach
True to its mission of affordability, the base model comes with manual windows and no built-in infotainment screen. However, customers can upgrade various features through Slate’s extensive customization program, including:
- Power windows
- Tablet mount with compatible infotainment app
- Audio system upgrades
- Interior trim packages
- Exterior styling elements
- Performance modifications including suspension options
American-Made
The Slate truck is proudly American-made, with design work split between California and Michigan, engineering completed in Michigan, and final assembly taking place in the Midwest. This commitment to domestic manufacturing aligns with the company’s goal of creating accessible electric vehicles for the American market.
Investment and Timeline
The project has secured significant backing, with a recent $111 million funding round led by Jeff Bezos, Los Angeles Dodgers controlling owner Mark Walter, and investor Thomas Tull. Melinda Lewison, head of Bezos’ family office, serves as a Slate Auto director.
Customers can currently reserve a Slate truck with a refundable $50 deposit, with deliveries expected to begin in late 2026.
Market Impact
Industry observers have dubbed the Slate the “anti-Tesla,” highlighting its focus on simplicity and affordability rather than luxury and high-tech features. This approach could potentially reshape the electric vehicle market by making sustainable transportation accessible to a broader range of consumers.
The Slate truck represents a significant departure from current electric vehicle offerings, prioritizing practicality and affordability while maintaining the flexibility to meet diverse user needs through its innovative modular design. As the automotive industry continues its electric transformation, Slate’s approach could prove to be a game-changer in accelerating EV adoption among mainstream consumers.