Meet the Blank Slate That Could Shake Up Trucks
The Slate Truck is a minimalist, electric pickup truck introduced in April 2025 by Slate Automotive. With Jeff Bezos among its backers, the Slate is positioned to shake up the industry when it enters production in late 2026.
At a budget $27K and with endless customization options, will this Bezos-backed EV shake up the industry, or is it just another concept that will never deliver?
We Built It, You Make It
Slate’s tagline reflects its vision: provide a "clean-slate" electric truck platform and let buyers customize it however they want. It’s a build-it-yourself philosophy, new in the usually limited, cookie-cutter EV world.
Priced Like Your Budget’s Best Friend
With a base price just under $27,000, Slate’s truck is one of the most affordable EVs on the market. Initially teased at under $20,000 with tax credits, that pipe dream has since faded, but its pricing still remains a standout in a world of $60K-plus electric pickups.
What’s in the Box: Crank Windows and No Screens
There’s no infotainment, no power windows, and no touchscreen, just honest, essential driving components. Slate stripped away the frills to keep costs down and give drivers total control over what they want to add.
Has anyone wished their car was a little...simpler?
Slate's Cheap $25K EV Truck Can Transform Into An SUV, InsideEVs
Two-Seat Retro Coolness with a Modern Motor
This compact pickup is a two-door, two-seat affair designed for simplicity and utility. It channels retro vibes but features a modern 150 kW (201 hp) electric motor mounted at the rear.
Range Goals: 150 or 240 Miles, Your Call
Slate offers two battery options: a 52.7 kWh pack for 150 miles, or an 84.3 kWh version good for up to 240 miles. This gives buyers flexibility based on both their needs and budget.
Slate's Cheap $25K EV Truck Can Transform Into An SUV, InsideEVs
Fast Charging? You Bet: NACS Power Inside
Thanks to Tesla’s NACS charging standard, the Slate Truck can fast-charge up to 80 percent in about 30 minutes. For those with more time, it can charge fully from a wall outlet in about 11 hours.
Slate's Cheap $25K EV Truck Can Transform Into An SUV, InsideEVs
GIF-worthy Garage Customization Headquarters
Slate’s accessory catalog is designed for hands-on enthusiasts, with over 100 modular add-ons available. You can add everything from off-road lights to a full SUV conversion kit with rear seats and a roll cage.
Shrink It, Don’t Shrug It: Compact Yet Capable
Despite its size, the Slate Truck hauls a lot with a 1,433-pound payload capacity and 1,000-pound towing limit. It’s smaller than most trucks but big on practicality.
Sticker Gray, Wrap to Slay
Every Slate Truck arrives in unpainted, gray polypropylene panels that invite personalization. Whether you prefer matte black or neon camo, wrapping it is part of the fun.
No Paint Shop? No Problem
By skipping the painting process entirely, Slate vastly cuts manufacturing costs and embraces functional design. The bare plastic panels are rugged, modular, and seemingly infinitely customizable.
Minimalist Onboard
This ain't no Tesla. Forget screens and built-in navigation, the Slate offers a simple phone mount and USB charger. Drivers bring their own entertainment system, saving cost and boosting modularity.
Safety Meets Simplicity
Slate may be minimal, but it hasn’t skimped on essential safety tech. Features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection come standard.
Slate's Cheap $25K EV Truck Can Transform Into An SUV, InsideEVs
Made in the U.S.A., Built to Stand Out
Slate is producing these trucks in Warsaw, Indiana, giving a fresh shot of life to American auto manufacturing. The facility is geared up to produce up to 150,000 trucks annually.
No Dealership? No Problem
The company sells directly to customers online, much like Tesla. This lets buyers skip the dealership dance and order a truck from the comfort of home.
2027 Slate Truck First Look: America's New Cheapest Pickup?, MotorTrend Channel
Reservation for a No-Frills Dream
You can reserve your Slate Truck today for just $50, and it’s fully refundable. Over 100,000 people already have, so there is clearly a massive demand for affordable EVs whenever a company can actually deliver.
Jeff Bezos's Baby
Jeff Bezos is a major backer of Slate Automotive, bringing big-name confidence to the startup. Alongside other heavy hitters, he’s helping fund the company’s big ambitions.
Daniel Oberhaus, Wikimedia Commons
Bootstrapped or Borrows from the Future?
Slate has raised over $700 million to bring its vision to life, starting with a $111 million Series A. That’s serious backing for a startup launching its very first vehicle.
A Pickup Anti-Cybertruck in Spirit
The Cybertruck screams futurism. Slate whispers pragmatism. It's a working vehicle for real-world needs, not a sci-fi spaceship on wheels.
Born Small, Builds Big Dreams
The Slate Truck is compact, roughly the length of a VW Golf, but don't let that fool you. Modern, clever design means this compact is ultra-functional. This size makes it ideal for urban drivers with limited space/storage options. Not to mention parallel parking!
There's An Eager Market Waiting
Slate is targeting both younger drivers and cost-conscious buyers who have long been priced out of the EV market. This is a truck for the people, not just for the privileged.
Slate's Cheap $25K EV Truck Can Transform Into An SUV, InsideEVs
Federal Credits: Sweet but Slippery
Slate's initial sub-$20K price estimate relied on federal EV tax credits, but these incentives may change. Even without them, the truck remains a bargain by electric standards.
The Brilliant DIY Truck (if it ever gets built) | 2027 Slate Truck Preview, CarGurus
500 Parts vs Thousands: That’s Lean Engineering
Where a typical truck has thousands of parts, Slate’s is made of just around 500. This drastically reduces assembly complexity and production costs.
NEW 2027 Slate Truck Deep Dive: Here's Everything You Need to Know!, TFLnow
From Catalog Factory to EV Factory
Slate revived an old catalog-printing plant in Indiana and turned it into an electric vehicle facility. It’s an inspiring story of American industrial reuse.
2027 Slate Truck First Look: America's New Cheapest Pickup?, MotorTrend Channel
The Market Is Watching and Waiting
Analysts are keeping a close eye on whether Slate can deliver at scale. So far, demand looks promising, but production capacity and customer satisfaction remain to be proven.
Slate's Cheap $25K EV Truck Can Transform Into An SUV, InsideEVs
Balancing Act: Affordability vs Expectations
The minimalist approach raises the question, will people miss the comforts they’re used to? Slate is betting that freedom and customization will outweigh those trade-offs.
From Michigan’s Best with Midwest Pride
Slate's design team is based in Long Beach, but the company is headquartered in Troy, Michigan. It’s a proud blend of American innovation from coast to coast.
The Brilliant DIY Truck (if it ever gets built) | 2027 Slate Truck Preview, CarGurus
Accessory Heaven: Turn Your Truck into Anything
Want a camper? An SUV? A work truck with solar? Slate’s optional kits let you reconfigure the platform to fit your lifestyle and needs.
2027 Slate Truck First Look: America's New Cheapest Pickup?, MotorTrend Channel
The Future of Affordable EV Trucks?
Slate is laying the groundwork for a future where electric trucks don’t have to cost a fortune. It’s a bold model that could pressure larger automakers to follow suit.
Slate's Cheap $25K EV Truck Can Transform Into An SUV, InsideEVs
Game Changer or Niche Niche?
Only time will tell whether Slate is a revolution or a curiosity. But one thing is clear, Jeff Bezos’s $27,000 electric truck just made the EV market a lot more interesting.
FIRST LOOK: Jeff Bezos’ $20k Pick-Up Truck, Top Gear
