4 min learnJun 27, 2026 11:04 PM IST
The electrical automobile (EV) market has largely targeted on premium options, giant batteries, and more and more costly SUVs. Slate Auto, a US-based startup backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is taking a really totally different strategy. As a substitute of constructing one other high-tech electrical SUV, the corporate is growing a easy, extremely customizable electrical pickup truck that begins at $24,950, making it one of many least expensive new EVs introduced for the US market.
Slate lately opened pre-orders for the automobile with a non-refundable $300 deposit, though large-scale manufacturing is predicted to ramp up solely in 2027.
What’s Slate Auto?
Slate Auto is an American EV startup based with the aim of creating inexpensive electrical automobiles. The corporate has raised round $1.4 billion from buyers, together with Bezos’ household workplace, Basic Catalyst, and TWG World.
Somewhat than competing instantly with premium EV makers like Tesla, Rivian or Lucid, Slate desires to serve patrons searching for a sensible, low-cost electrical automobile.
The corporate says its philosophy is much like that of iconic inexpensive vehicles just like the Ford Mannequin T and Volkswagen Beetle, easy automobiles that may be tailored to totally different buyer wants.
A pickup that transforms into an SUV
One among Slate’s greatest improvements is its modular design. The automobile begins as a two-seat electrical pickup truck, however patrons can later convert it right into a five-seat SUV utilizing accent kits. In contrast to standard automobiles that require factory-built physique kinds, Slate says the conversion might be carried out both by skilled technicians or by homeowners themselves utilizing educational movies by means of its “Slate College” platform. The SUV model begins at $29,950.
How is Slate totally different from different EVs?
Most trendy EVs compete by providing extra expertise, bigger batteries, and luxurious options. Slate takes the other strategy.
Extraordinarily inexpensive
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At below $25,000 earlier than vacation spot fees, Slate’s truck prices roughly half the typical worth of a brand new automobile offered in the USA.
Its closest EV rivals embody the Chevrolet Bolt, which begins round $29,000, whereas the Nissan Leaf begins above $30,000.
Minimalist design
As a substitute of including costly expertise, Slate has eliminated many options which have change into normal in trendy automobiles.
The truck comes with:
- Hand-crank home windows as a substitute of energy home windows.
- No built-in infotainment system or touchscreen.
- No manufacturing unit paint choices.
- A easy gray composite physique designed to simply accept vinyl wraps.
Prospects can personalise the automobile with greater than 100 wrap colors as a substitute of selecting conventional paint finishes.
Modular customisation
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Somewhat than forcing patrons to decide on a set configuration, Slate plans to promote lots of of equipment that may be added even after buy.
House owners can improve lighting, storage, physique panels, inside options, and even convert the truck into an SUV later, making the automobile extra versatile than most conventional EVs.
Direct gross sales mannequin
Like Tesla and Rivian, Slate won’t use conventional dealerships. Prospects will order automobiles instantly from the corporate.
Improved driving vary
When the truck was first unveiled, the bottom model supplied an estimated 150-mile (241 km) driving vary.
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Slate has now elevated that estimate to 205 miles (330 km) by redesigning the battery pack. Nonetheless, the corporate has dropped plans for a bigger battery that was anticipated to ship round 240 miles (386 km) of vary.
Manufacturing timeline
Though pre-orders have opened, clients might have to attend earlier than receiving their automobiles. Slate expects preliminary deliveries to start in restricted numbers later this 12 months, however full-scale manufacturing just isn’t anticipated till 2027.