Slate Automotive , a newfangled American EV startup , has just unveiled its first vehicle : a radically minimalist electric truck that can change over into a five - seat SUV . Dubbed the “ Blank Slate , ” the EV made its debut this hebdomad , right away reverse headland not just for its versatility but for its incredibly low price — start up under $ 20,000 after federal revenue enhancement incentives .
UnlikeTeslaandLucid , which launched with high - priced luxury models , Slate wants to twitch the mannequin : start chinchy , scale up .
At its core , theSlate Truckis a utilitarian , two - seat electric pickup design for simpleness and affordability . But what sets it apart is its transformative potential drop . Thanks to a modular accessory system , the truck can be upgraded over time — let in a outfit that adds a rearward seat , roll cage , airbags , and SUV body panels . This means buyers can start with a minimalist pickup and evolve it into a family - well-disposed SUV — either themselves or through Slate ’s produce internet of service partners .
Customization iscentralto Slate ’s visual sense . Owners will be able to choose from over 100 accessories at launch , range from vinyl wraps and Bluetooth - ready audio systems to expectant battery face pack and off - route upgrades . The caller further a DIY approach , offering cock and tutorials through “ Slate University ” to empower user to modify and asseverate their own vehicles .
Powering the hand truck is a 52.7 - kWh battery for up to 150 miles of range , or an optional 84.3 - kWh pack aim 240 miles . Fast - charge capability and Tesla ’s NACS port come standard . The vehicle is rear - wheel - drive and delivers around 200 HP — enough for urban commutation and light - obligation hauling .
What enables the humiliated price is Slate ’s stripped - down approach to manufacturing . There ’s no paint shop , no stamping , and only one trimming level — everything else is modular . The vehicle boast steel wheel , crank window , and a broken fictile body designed to take a beating and still look good . It ’s a rejection of the tech - saturated , high - cost vehicle dominating today ’s food market .
Despite the minimalist specs , Slate is n’t skimping on safety . The truck is engineer to match top crash test evaluation and fall equipped with up to eight airbags , fighting emergency braking , and advancing collision warning .
Backing this ambitious access is significant investor support — including Amazon father and CEO Jeff Bezos . That backing , combined with a simplified product model , posture Slate to scale quickly once output begins in 2026 .
booking are now loose for $ 50 atslate.auto , with deliveries expect in former 2026 . Whether Americans are quick for a stripped - down , contour - shifting EV remains to be seen , but Slate ’s wager on affordability and customization could make it one of the most disruptive unveiling in the EV market to day of the month .
