Affordable Electric Pickup Truck Hits the Market
Slate Auto, a Michigan-based startup, has unveiled the Slate Truck, an all-electric pickup truck that’s generating buzz for its affordability. With a price tag of just $20,000 before federal EV incentives, it’s significantly cheaper than its competitors.
The Slate Truck is a two-seater vehicle that comes with a bare-bones design. It lacks modern amenities like a radio, speaker system, or touchscreen. The body panels are made of molded plastic, and the wheels are basic steelies. The seats are fabric, and the range is a modest 150 miles.
However, Slate Auto is betting big on customizability. The company is offering over 100 accessory items that can transform the vehicle into a more versatile one. For instance, buyers can convert it into a four-seater SUV with a functioning sound system.
The company’s approach subverts the prevailing EV formula of lavish specs and prices. Rivian R1T costs over $70,000, while the Ford F-150 Lightning starts at around $50,000. Tesla’s Cybertruck, which was initially supposed to cost $40,000, ended up being priced at $60,000.
Slate Auto’s decision to keep costs low is intriguing, especially given the current market environment. The Trump administration’s tariff war has been disastrous for the auto industry, and there’s uncertainty surrounding Biden-era EV tax incentive programs.
Despite the challenges, Slate Auto’s chief commercial officer, Jeremy Snyder, believes the company has an edge over previous EV startups. By stripping down the manufacturing process to a bare minimum, Slate aims to simplify production. “We have no paint shop, we have no stamping,” Snyder said. “Because we only produce one vehicle in the factory with zero options, we’ve moved all of the complexity out of the factory.”
Only time will tell if Slate Auto can deliver on its promises and meet preorders by late 2026. One thing is certain: the Slate Truck is not associated with Tesla and Elon Musk’s increasingly toxic brand, giving it a distinct advantage in the market.
