America’s Cheapest Electric Vehicle Unveiled
Jeff Bezos-backed Slate Automotive has launched the United States’ most affordable electric vehicle, challenging the market with a cut-price, no-frills electric pickup truck that can be converted into an SUV. The Slate starts at $US27,500 ($AU43,091), reducing to around $US20,000 ($AU31,339) after incentives, making it cheaper than the previously cheapest EV in US showrooms, the Nissan Leaf.
Key Features of the Slate Electric Vehicle
The entry-level two-door, two-seat pickup, known as ‘Slate,’ is engineered to be customizable, allowing owners to transform it into various configurations, including an SUV. The vehicle is ‘assembled’ in the US mid-west, potentially avoiding import and automotive tariffs. Reservations are now open on the Slate Automotive website for $US50 ($AU78), following a direct-to-consumer sales model similar to Tesla.
Technical Specifications
- Dimensions: 4435mm long, 1793mm wide, 1760mm high
- Wheelbase: 2766mm
- Tray Capacity: 994 liters
- Payload: 650kg
- Towing Capacity: 454kg
- Powertrain: 150kW/264Nm single electric motor
- Battery Options: Standard 52.7kWh (241km range) and Extended 84.3kWh (386km range)
- Charging: Up to 120kW rapid charging, 20-80% in under 30 minutes
Safety and Customization
The Slate is designed to achieve the highest safety ratings, featuring Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning, and up to eight airbags. The vehicle can be customized with various cabin accessories and SUV conversion kits, including a Land Rover Defender-type SUV body for a five-person capacity.
