Slate Auto, a newly emerged electric vehicle startup backed by notable investors, today unveiled its first model: an all-electric pickup truck designed with a focus on simplicity, affordability, and extensive customization. The company aims to disrupt the electric vehicle market by offering a bare-bones, yet versatile, platform that allows owners to tailor their vehicle to their specific needs and preferences.
The unveiling event showcased the “Blank Slate” – the base model of the pickup truck. True to its name, this version offers essential features for operation and safety, including a single electric motor powering the rear wheels, a standard battery pack targeting a range of approximately 150 miles, basic safety systems, manual windows, and physical climate controls. Notably absent are features commonly found in modern vehicles, such as an infotainment system or built-in speakers. Instead, Slate Auto provides a universal phone mount, encouraging users to integrate their own devices.
This minimalist approach allows Slate Auto to target a highly competitive price point. The company anticipates the “Blank Slate” to cost under $20,000 after factoring in the $7,500 federal clean vehicle tax credit, positioning it as one of the most affordable EVs on the market.
However, the “Blank Slate” is just the starting point. A key aspect of Slate Auto’s philosophy is radical customization. The vehicle is designed as a modular platform with over 100 planned accessories. These range from practical additions like speakers and power windows to more significant transformations, including kits to convert the two-seat pickup into a five-seat SUV with either a boxy or a more streamlined design. Buyers can also personalize the exterior with a wide array of vinyl wraps, as the base model comes in a standard “Slate Gray” finish, chosen for its durability and ease of customization.
Slate Auto emphasizes a direct-to-consumer sales model, with reservations for the electric pickup now open for a refundable $50 fee. The company projects deliveries to begin in late 2026.
The technical specifications of the Slate pickup include a single 201 horsepower electric motor producing 195 lb-ft of torque, allowing for an estimated 0-60 mph acceleration in around 8 seconds and a top speed of 90 mph. Two battery options will be available: a 52.7 kWh pack targeting 150 miles of range and an 84.3 kWh pack aiming for 240 miles. The vehicle will utilize the NACS charging port and support DC fast charging up to 120 kW.
Measuring shorter and narrower than a Ford Maverick, the compact Slate pickup still offers a five-foot bed and a front trunk (“frunk”) for additional storage. The company also highlights a payload capacity of approximately 1,433 pounds and a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds.
“Slate exists to put the power back in the hands of customers who have been ignored by the auto industry,” said CEO Chris Barman at the unveiling. “Slate is a radical truck platform so customizable that it can transform from a 2-seat pickup to a 5-seat SUV.”
Backed by significant funding, including reported investment from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and with manufacturing planned in the American Midwest, Slate Auto is poised to enter a burgeoning electric pickup market with a unique value proposition. By prioritizing affordability and personalization, the company hopes to attract a segment of buyers seeking a practical and adaptable EV without the premium price tag and features often associated with current offerings. The success of Slate Auto’s approach will be closely watched as it navigates the challenges of mass production and market adoption in the rapidly evolving.
Here are some specific aspects of the Slate Auto Electric Pickup Truck:
- Customization: The truck is designed for extensive personalization, with over 100 planned accessories. This includes options for:
- Converting it from a two-seat pickup to a five-seat SUV.
- A wide array of vinyl wraps for the exterior.
- Various interior upgrades.
- Features:
- The base model (“Blank Slate”) is very basic, featuring manual windows, physical climate controls, and a phone mount instead of an infotainment system.
- Optional features include speakers, power windows, and various interior and exterior upgrades.
- Technical Specifications:
- It has a single rear-mounted motor with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.
- Two battery options: 52.7 kWh (150 miles range) and 84.3 kWh (240 miles range).
- Estimated 0-60 mph acceleration in 8 seconds.
- Top speed of 90 mph.
- It’s a compact truck, smaller than a Ford Maverick.
- It has a 5-foot bed and a front trunk (“frunk”).
- Payload capacity is approximately 1,433 pounds, and towing capacity is 1,000 pounds.
Let’s dive deeper into the details of the customization aspect of the Slate Auto Electric Pickup Truck:
Slate Auto is heavily emphasizing the ability for owners to personalize their vehicles. They envision the “Blank Slate” as a foundation upon which individuals can build a truck (or even an SUV) that perfectly suits their needs and preferences. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of this concept:
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Modular Design: The fundamental architecture of the truck is designed to be modular. This means key components and sections can be easily added, removed, or swapped out. This modularity is what enables the significant transformations, like going from a two-seat pickup to a five-seat SUV.
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Conversion Kits: One of the most striking customization options is the availability of conversion kits.
- Pickup to SUV: Slate Auto has showcased designs for converting the base two-seat pickup into a five-seat SUV. This isn’t just adding seats; it involves changing the rear section of the vehicle. They’ve shown two distinct SUV styles: one with a more traditional, boxy SUV shape and another with a sleeker, more aerodynamic profile. The exact process and the level of DIY involvement for these conversions are still being detailed.
- Other Potential Kits: While the pickup-to-SUV conversion is the most prominent, the modular design suggests the potential for other kits in the future. This could include different bed configurations, specialized storage solutions, or even variations in the front fascia.
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Accessory Ecosystem: Beyond the major conversion kits, Slate Auto plans a vast ecosystem of over 100 individual accessories. These are designed to be easily installed and integrated with the base vehicle. Examples include:
- Comfort and Convenience: Power windows, upgraded climate control systems, various seating options and materials, center consoles with different storage configurations.
- Infotainment and Audio: Since the base model lacks these, the accessory catalog will offer various head units, speaker systems, and integration solutions for personal devices.
- Utility and Functionality: Bed liners, tonneau covers, roof racks, towing packages (beyond the base 1,000 lbs), off-road enhancements (lift kits, skid plates), work-focused storage solutions.
- Exterior Styling: A wide range of vinyl wraps in different colors, patterns, and finishes will allow for significant visual personalization. Different wheel designs, lighting upgrades, and potentially even body panel add-ons could also be part of this.
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DIY-Friendly Design: Slate Auto aims to make many of these customizations relatively straightforward for owners to perform themselves, potentially saving on labor costs. The modular design and the planned accessory installation mechanisms will likely be geared towards user-friendliness.
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Direct-to-Consumer Approach: The direct-to-consumer sales model could facilitate the customization process. Buyers might be able to configure their desired accessories and even conversion kits at the time of purchase or order them later through an online platform.
The Potential and the Questions:
This radical focus on customization is a unique selling point for Slate Auto. It addresses the fact that different people have very different needs and preferences for their vehicles. By offering a basic, affordable platform and then allowing owners to build upon it, Slate Auto could attract a segment of the market that values practicality and personalization over pre-packaged features.
However, several questions remain:
- Complexity of Conversions: How complex will the major conversions (like pickup to SUV) be? Will they require specialized tools or professional installation?
- Cost of Accessories: While the base price is attractive, the overall cost will depend heavily on the price of the various accessories and conversion kits. Will these remain affordable enough to maintain the value proposition?
- Integration and Compatibility: How seamlessly will third-party accessories integrate with the vehicle’s electrical and electronic systems?
- Safety and Regulations: How will the safety and regulatory aspects be handled with such extensive modifications?
Despite these questions, Slate Auto’s commitment to customization is a bold and potentially disruptive approach in the electric vehicle market. It will be interesting to see how consumers respond to this level of personalization.
Slate Auto, a new EV startup, has unveiled the “Blank Slate,” an affordable, all-electric pickup truck focused on extreme customization. The base model is minimalist, lacking features like an infotainment system and power windows to achieve a target price under $20,000 after the US tax credit. Its key selling point is its modular design and a planned ecosystem of over 100 accessories, including conversion kits to transform it into a five-seat SUV.
The “Blank Slate” features a rear-mounted 201 hp motor, with two battery options offering 150 or 240 miles of range. It has a 5-foot bed, a “frunk,” and modest payload and towing capacities. Slate Auto aims for a direct-to-consumer sales model, with deliveries expected in late 2026. While praised for its affordability and customization potential, questions remain about the cost and complexity of the accessories and conversions.
