A new electric vehicle startup, backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is working to become a disruptor of the electric vehicle industry, and those interested can reserve one for just $50.
Slate Auto, based in Michigan, has officially unveiled its first vehicle: a minimalist and compact, no-frills electric pickup truck simply called the “Truck.” Priced at just $20,000 after federal tax credits ($25,000 sticker price), the Slate Truck hopes to make EV ownership more accessible by focusing on affordability and practicality.
No radio? No paint job?
The design is intentionally simple: crank windows, no traditional infotainment system, and a rugged, unpainted slate gray exterior, but Slate offers wrapping options.
Under the hood, the Truck offers a 201-horsepower motor with two battery options , a 57.2 kWh standard range offering up to 150 miles, or an 84.3 kWh extended range offering up to 240 miles on a single charge.
Despite its modest footprint, the Truck is built for work and play, comes with 17-inch wheels, a five-foot bed and payload capacity of 1,433 pounds and the ability to tow up to 1,000 pounds. Plus, buyers can opt for modular accessories, including a kit that transforms the pickup into a five-seat SUV.
Production is expected to begin in the United States in 2026, but reservations are open now with a refundable $50 deposit. Slate Auto says deliveries will begin later that year.
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