Slate Auto, backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is set to begin assembling its $25,000 electric vehicle (EV) truck in Warsaw, Indiana. The company confirmed plans to revitalize a shuttered printing facility about 122 miles from Chicago, creating over 2,000 jobs for the local community. After applying the federal EV credit, the truck’s price drops to $20,000.
Vehicle Details and Customization
The EV truck, dubbed the ‘Blank Slate,’ offers extensive customization options through over 25 different ‘Starter Packs.’ Customers can choose between a 2-seater pickup trim and a 5-seater SUV trim. The vehicle boasts a standard range of 150 miles, extendable to 240 miles with a larger battery pack. It features a 5-foot-long bed with a hauling capacity of 1,400 lbs and can tow up to 1,000 lbs.
Market Context
Slate Auto’s entry into the EV market comes at a time of significant growth. The domestic U.S. EV market saw a 10.6% year-over-year increase in sales in the last quarter. Industry experts, including investor Bill Ackman, have taken note of the company’s innovative approach.
Production Facility Impact
The former printing plant’s redevelopment is expected to significantly impact the local economy. Slate Auto CEO Chris Barman stated, “We would like to see what we can do to go into an existing facility that has been shuttered and reindustrialize and revitalize that community.” The company’s initiative aligns with broader efforts to revitalize industrial communities in the Midwest.
