Introduction to the 2027 Slate Truck
The 2027 Slate Truck is a small electric pickup truck that challenges the conventional automotive market with its bare-bones design and extensive customization potential. Priced at an estimated $27,000, this vehicle is designed to be a blank slate for owners to modify according to their needs.
Key Features of the Slate Truck
- Basic Configuration: The Slate Truck comes with manually adjustable cloth seats, crank windows, and a small display screen primarily for the backup camera.
- Customization: Slate offers a range of accessories and upgrades, including power window modules, touchscreen mounts, heated seat covers, and various interior trim options.
- Conversion Potential: The truck’s firewall and glass separating the cab from the bed can be removed to install rear seats and a bed cap, effectively converting it into a five-seat SUV.
Technical Specifications
- Base Price: $27,000 (estimated)
- Layout: Rear-motor, RWD, 2-passenger, 2-door truck
- Motor: 201-hp/195-lb-ft permanent-magnet electric
- Transmission: 1-speed automatic
- Curb Weight: 3,600 lb (manufacturer’s specification)
- Wheelbase: 108.9 in
- Dimensions: 174.6 x 70.6 x 69.3 in (L x W x H)
- 0–60 MPH: 8.0 sec (manufacturer’s estimate)
- EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Economy: 95 mpg-e (manufacturer’s estimate)
- EPA Range, Comb: 150 miles (manufacturer’s estimate)
- On Sale: Winter 2026
The Concept Behind Slate
Slate aims to provide a vehicle that is not over-equipped or overpriced. The company’s philosophy is to offer a basic vehicle that customers can then customize to their liking, potentially reducing waste and unnecessary features. This approach is supported by an ecosystem that includes a catalog of accessories, upgrade options, and a community-driven platform for sharing modifications.
Potential and Challenges
While the concept is innovative and appealing to DIY enthusiasts and potentially small businesses or municipal fleets, there are challenges ahead. These include proving the vehicle’s safety capabilities, managing the personalization ecosystem, and mitigating potential liabilities associated with customer modifications.
As Slate gears up for production by the end of 2026, the automotive world watches with interest. The Slate Truck represents a bold experiment in automotive manufacturing and customer engagement, offering a vehicle that is as much a project as it is a mode of transportation.
