SLATE Auto: Affordable EV Trucks

A new player has emerged in the electric vehicle space, and they are applying a clean slate approach to affordable vehicles.  Let’s face it, the current crop of electric trucks are large, heavy and expensive.  In fact, most vehicles on sale today fit that description. This doesn’t make sense to me, which is why the new truck from SLATE Auto caught my attention.

A Blank SLATE Approach

SLATE is a new American company established in 2022. On April 24th, they introduced their new small electric pickup truck.  This truck gets down to basics, with features like crank windows, steel wheels and one paint color: slate gray.  The expected base price is $27,500 and if the current EV credits stay in place, that price comes down to $20,000.  For an electric pickup.

Key Features

I already covered the big features of the SLATE Truck, but the following points also caught my eye:

• The SLATE Truck is a simple two-seat pickup, produced in a single configuration from the factory.
• Over 100 accessories are available individually or bundled. These can be installed with your order or purchased after the sale.  This appeals to my DIY nature! 
• Your phone or tablet provides the infotainment.  There are no fancy, large screens in this truck.
• While the SLATE Truck only comes in gray paint, SLATE offers a number of vinyl wrap options.  Looking at the design of the body panels, I think this truck could be easily wrapped at home.  
• SLATE also offers a roof and rear seat package that can convert the pickup into a two door SUV.  This gives me Land Rover Defender vibes.
• Power comes from a 52.7-kWh battery pack, 150 kW, rear-wheel drive, with a 150 mile range.  An accessory 84.3-kWh battery pack has a target range of 240 miles. Using the NACS port, you can charge overnight for your commute on a household outlet, or fast-charge to 80% at 120-kW in under 30 minutes.

Production

Production is expected to take place at a “reindustrialized factory” in the U.S.  There is no official word on the plant location, but sources say it will be in Warsaw, Indiana.  From what I can tell, SLATE anticipates deliveries starting in Q4 2026.

The build process is designed to allow a consistent, high quality assembly.  Each SLATE truck is built with the same equipment and in the one color.  Since the body panels are molded in color, there is no need for a body shop in the plant.  That is a huge cost savings and it eliminates the build complexity found in traditional assembly plants, and promotes lower cost and high quality.  All personalization takes place after the truck is assembled.

According to Eric Keipper, Head of Engineering, this truck has highly dent resistant composite body panels attached to high strength steel “SLATE Board.”  This feels oddly like the way the original Saturn S-Series was built.  It makes me wonder if those body panels are easy to replace in the event of a minor accident.  That would be cool.

Size Comparisons

The basic SLATE Truck and some of its variants are shown below. Check out the size comparisons to the Chevrolet Silverado EV, Ford Maverick and the 1985 Toyota SR5 pickup.

If you would like to learn more or place a reservation for one, check out the SLATE AUTO site.

Final Thoughts

I really like the basic, affordable approach that SLATE is taking with this new truck.  It just feels like a smart move for them.  I’m even more impressed with the accessories and customization available with the truck–especially for a DIY enthusiast. 

I’m getting the same feelings for this truck as I did for the Ford Maverick when it launched.  Both remind me of my 1985 Chevrolet S10 that I ordered and bought on a budget.  I was able to personalize it over time, as money allowed.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.  Does the SLATE Truck capture your imagination?