Jeff Bezos is branching out into manufacturing electric vehicles with Slate Auto—a Michigan-based startup backed by him. He has unveiled the "Blank Slate," a minimalist, highly customizable 2-seater electric pickup truck will start around $27,500 before incentives. After applying the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, the cost drops to under $20,000, making it the most affordable electric pickup in the U.S. market. We’ve seen low price announcements many times on EVs, we’ll see if he can actually deliver at this price.
A few quick facts:
- Slate Autos recently announced it will build the EV pickup at a former printing factory in Warsaw, Indiana, where production is slated to begin by late 2026.
- Preorders are currently being accepted (with a refundable $50 deposit), on its website.
- Like Tesla, Slate is taking the direct-to-consumer online sales route and Slate says it will have a nationwide service network.
No Frills
Slate says it is "founded on a disruptive business model of simplifying the manufacturing process and removing unnecessary content to reduce cost and increase reliability."
"The definition of what's affordable is broken," said Slate CEO Chris Barman. "Slate exists to put the power back in the hands of customers who have been ignored by the auto industry. Slate is a radical truck platform so customizable that it can transform from a 2-seat pickup to a 5-seat SUV."
In short - this EV pickup is no-frills. That means unpainted gray polypropylene panels instead of exterior paint, manual cranking, windows, no infotainment system or touchscreen, and a simple dashboard with knobs to control the climate. Slate says owners can use their smartphones for navigation and entertainment, mounted on provided holders.
It's far from a one-truck-fits-all scenario, however, as Slate is big into customization. The automaker is offering over 100 optional accessories along with conversion kits that allow owners to turn it into a five-seat SUV or fastback utility vehicle. Do-it-yourself modifications are also encouraged and Slate's even come up with a "Builder's Book" as well as an educational platform called Slate University.
Performance and Specifications
The rear-wheel drive pickup will deliver 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. It will also be capable of DC Fast Charging via the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector. The standard battery delivers 150 miles of range, with an optional 84.3 kWh battery extending range to 240 miles. Its cargo bed is 5-feet long and there' s 7-cubic-foot front trunk area. Payload is 1,430 pounds and towing capacity is 1,000 pounds.
Slate says its pickup truck meets the highest safety standards and can be updated, accessorized and transformed at any time.
For more on the new Slate EV truck visit the Slate Auto website here.
Photo Credit: Slate Auto.