Slate, a new electric vehicle company reportedly backed by billionaire Jeff Bezos, is shaking up the EV market with its highly customizable electric pickup truck. The base model, priced under $20,000 after incentives, features a barebones design with steel wheels, crank windows, and a simple three-knob climate control system. The real innovation, however, lies in its modular design, particularly the available SUV conversion kit.
Key Features of Slate’s Electric Pickup Truck
The SUV Kit is described as a “flat-pack accessory” that allows owners to convert their two-seat pickup truck into a five-seat SUV. This kit includes everything needed for the conversion: a roll cage, airbags, and a rear seat bench. The company suggests that owners can either perform the conversion themselves or have it done professionally.
Technical Specifications
- The base model features a single 201-horsepower, 195 lb-ft electric motor driving the rear wheels.
- It comes with a 52.7-kWh battery, offering 150 miles of range, or an optional 84.3-kWh battery for 240 miles.
- The truck can charge at speeds up to 120 kW, achieving 20% to 80% charge in under 30 minutes with DC fast charging.
- It has a towing capacity of up to 1,000 pounds.
- The vehicle accelerates from zero to 60 mph in eight seconds and has a top speed of 90 mph.
Visualizing the Slate Electric Pickup Truck
Slate has provided various visualizations of their electric pickup truck, showcasing different configurations. The blocky-roof version gives it a resemblance to a Land Rover Defender, while the slanty Fastback model offers a different aesthetic. An open-air version, similar to the Jeep Wrangler, was also showcased in an image, although it wasn’t mentioned in the official release.
Pricing and Production
While the base truck starts at less than $20,000, the cost of the SUV conversion kit remains unclear. Slate claims that the vehicle will be manufactured in the U.S., aiming to achieve affordability without compromising on the essential features of an electric vehicle.
The introduction of the Slate electric pickup truck and its SUV conversion kit represents a significant development in the EV market, potentially making electric vehicles more accessible to a wider audience. With its modular design and competitive pricing, Slate is poised to challenge established brands in the EV sector.
