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| May 20, 2025 | Volume 21 Issue 19 |
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Slate Truck: Jeff Bezos-backed a-la-carte EV that you can make into an SUV
Base Slate Truck called the Blank Slate (left) and an SUV-kitted Slate (right). [All images courtesy of Slate Auto]
Minimalist and modular are two descriptors for the new, highly customizable, all-electric Slate Truck from Michigan-based startup Slate Auto. Slightly larger than a 1985 Toyota SR5 Pickup, the under-$20,000 Blank Slate will come in only one color (Slate Gray, of course) but is made to be customized to your heart's content with body wraps, accessories, and kits. Want the standard two-door pickup to be a five-seat SUV? There's a kit for that, and it comes with a roll bar too. How about something more Jeep-like with no hard top in back? There's a kit for that too.
The company received more than 100,000 pre-orders ($50 refundable reservations) in the first two weeks since the truck was announced April 24, according to TechCrunch. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is one of the company's many investors, according to Yahoo Finance.
The Slate is 174.6 in. long, 69.3 in. tall, and 70.6 in. wide. It has a wheelbase of 108.9 in. The interior volume is 58 cu. ft. It is a rear-wheel-drive mini pickup with a single, rear-mounted 150-kW motor rated for 201 hp. Max speed is 90 mph. It has a 5-ft (35.1 cu.-ft) bed and a 7-cu.-ft frunk. It is rated to tow 1,000 lb (max 1,433 lb). It comes with steel wheels outside and crank windows (yup, you read that right!) and HVAC with knobs inside. It has a universal phone mount and USB power. Want something fancier, there's an accessory kit for that. Add a radio. Add speakers. Add electric windows with a kit too. View the first video below -- Meet Slate -- for a quick rundown.
The starting price is $27,495, but with a $7,500 government EV tax incentive, the base Slate is just under $20K. The vehicles will be built at an former printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana.
Every Slate starts out as a two-seat pickup. Buyers can add any of the following kits (no prices available yet):
- Squareback SUV Kit: Seats five, has classic SUV lines.
- Fastback SUV Kit: Seats five, has a sportier silhouette.
- Open Air Kit: Seats five, has no hardtop or windows in the rear.
- Cargo Kit: Adds van-like covered cargo storage to the pickup, is perfect for fleets or small businesses.
The truck is designed to be wrapped without any trim pieces, so it should be easier for a non-professional. Wrap kits start at $500.
Slate says kits and accessories can be purchased individually in their marketplace and "can be installed at delivery, at a later date by a Slate service provider, or DIY using our Slate University video tutorials."
According to Autoline, "The structure of the truck is a blend of body-on-frame, unibody, and skate board. Its high-strength steel frame is very stiff, with a 35-hertz bending moment. And Slate is using a lot of off-the-shelf parts to hold down cost and develop its truck more quickly."
Remember the car brand Saturn with its plastic body panels? An article in Dezeen says this is the route Slate is taking: "The Slate Truck's body panels are made of injection molded polypropylene composite material, a plastic material, instead of steel or aluminum. This is a more durable and scratch-resistant material, and it also allows for a simpler manufacturing process without the need for painting." Well, eliminating the paint shop will sure help with ramping up production!
The Blank Slate comes with a 52.7-kWh battery pack and a range target of 150 miles. That is not very far. An accessory 84.3-kWh battery pack has a target of 240 miles. Slate says that using the NACS port owners can charge their Slate overnight or fast-charge it to 80% at 120-kW in under 30 minutes. For a business with a small fleet of vehicles that don't travel far every day, this truck could be an option.
While the base options are pretty skimpy, Slate has not cut corners on equipment for safety. The EV is designed to achieve the highest safety ratings and includes Active Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, and up to eight airbags (with the add-on SUV kit). It also has Traction Control, Electronic Stability Control, Remote Keyless Entry, Backup Camera, Pedestrian Identification, and Auto High Beam.
Production is "slated" to begin in late 2026. Slate says, "Taking care of your Slate is simple and requires very little maintenance of brakes, tires, cooling fluids, cabin filter, and wiper fluids. Slate University, our video library, has how-to videos explaining all of what needs to be done. The Slate App will keep track of all of your DIY maintenance as well." The company also says it will be offering authorized Slate service at more than 2,500 U.S. locations.
On social media, several different configurations of Slate Trucks with eye-catching graphics have been spotted driving around California in an "under-wraps" stealth marketing campaign.
Refundable vehicle reservations ($50) are open now. Visit slate.auto to secure yours or to learn more about the Slate Truck.
Sources: Slate Auto, The Verge, TechCrunch, Autoline, Dezeen
Published May 2025
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