3mo ago

Slate, a customizable EV pickup for $20k

electrek.co

Slate emerges with customizable EV pickup available for under $20k [Video]

Range

Small battery range: 240km
Big battery range: 385km

Motor

Motor: Single motor, rear wheel drive
Power: 150kW
Torque: 264Nm
0-100km: 8s
Top speed: 145km/h

Dimensions

Bed length: 1.5m
Vehicle length: 4.4m
Vehicle height: 1.8m
Vehicle width: 1.8m

Comparison

2025 Kia Niro length: 4.4m
2025 Ford Maverick length: 5.1m
1985 Toyota Pickup/Hilux length: 4.7m

Weights

Curb weight 1634kg
Max payload 650kg
Max towing 454kg

Charging

Port: NACS
Onboard charger: 11kW
Level 1 AC, 3.6kw, 20-100%: 11h
Level 2 AC, 11kW, 20-100%: under 5h
Level 3 DC, 120kW, 20-80%: under 30m

Safety

Traction Control
Electronic Stability Control
Forward Collision Warning
Automatic Emergency Braking
2-stage Driver/Passenger Airbags
Full Length Side Curtain Airbags (Truck 2) (SUV 4)
Seat Side Airbags (2)
Backup Camera
Pedestrian Identification
Auto High Beam

More info

209 comments

Aside from being backed by Bezos, this seems like Lemmy the car. Under 20K, an EV, no stupid touch screen, designed to be repaired and modded, and even crank windows.
I bet the catch, aside from Bezos, is the range or charge speed.
- I don't think that it has a cell modem, either, because it sounds like it eschews a baked-in entertainment computer:
  https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a64564869/2027-slate-truck-revealed/
  Roll-down windows come standard, as do manually adjustable rearview mirrors. An audio or infotainment system is noticeably missing, too. Instead, your cellphone or tablet serves these functions, with a dock for the former included and one for the latter available as an optional accessory. Better like the sound coming out from your phone or tablet's speakers, too, because the Slate lacks speakers, though the brand's accessory division will gladly hook you up with a set.
  Honestly, if you took my last year of comments complaining about privacy-infringing cars and those complaining about changes to what a truck is, this does kind of look to be addressing both. Gotta see what the actual production vehicle is like in real life, of course, but...
  https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/mini-truckin-returns-slate-unveils-old-school-style-affordable-electric-pickup
  When I say the truck is small, I mean it. At 174.6 inches, it’s about 2 feet shorter in overall length than the 2025 Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz. And to use the Wayback Machine to a time when compact pickups were actually compact, it’s roughly the same size as the compact pickups of 1980: the Toyota truck, Chevy LUV and Ford Courier. Notably, no other automakers have offered trucks of this size in America since the mid 1990s.
  Yeah, like the "inexpensive, no-frills utility vehicle" that pickups originally were.
  
  because the Slate lacks speakers,
  I mean, I get they need to cut costs, but come on.... a damn radio wouldnt have killed them
  
  I don't think that it has a cell modem, either
  So it's not coming to Europe then.
  
  100% in agreement with all your points. Simplicity and modular! Look how well the original mustang did, because you could actually get what you wanted. That has disappeared completely now
- No, the catch is that it isn't real.
  @ me when it's rolling off the production line.
  Until then...
  it will have
  you will be able to
  
  Yeah they said they're hoping to be producing them by 2026. So likely won't be available till 2027/28
  
  I love this truck. I want one. It's just that it's a VC pump and dump.
- Standard Range (52.7 kWh) (est.): 150 miles
  seems like but manageable for most people
  
  That's not 150 miles of actual driving range, it's more like 75-100miles of actual range.
- well its less it doesnt have a touch screen, the touch screen is an optional purchase.
  the range iirc in some overview is 2 options, one was i think 150mi, the other was 240mi
  
  From my other link, I don't think that the touch screen is an optional purchase. I don't think that they're selling any entertainment computer to have a screen on. It says that they come standard with a smartphone mounting point or optionally with a tablet mounting point. But the car computer is bring-your-own, and not built into the car. Which...is what I've wanted, because computers age out a lot more quickly than cars do.
  I assume that there'll be an OBD-II slot that one can hook up to to feed data about the car to the phone/tablet. There's software that can make use of that. Dunno if there's any other data typically exposed to car computers other than what that provides.
  
  No, there is no optional touch screen. The one featured in their media is a phone/iPad running the Slate app.
- As long as it gets 50+ miles range reliably in winter, it's perfect as a commuter/weekend project truck. I generally look for 150 miles range for this, since winter can cut effective range in half. I don't care about charge speed since I'll just plug it in at night.
  
  Good news, its range is 150 miles.
- I mean Bezos backed Rivian too. Or Amazon did, anyway.
- It will need to have a screen to comply with safety standards. A back up camera is mandatory.
  The Citroen Ami is a "cycle car" under French law and doesn't have to meet the same standards.
  
  Supposedly, there’s a display on the instrument cluster for the backup camera.
  
  It has a camera on the tailgate and the instrument cluster is a display.
Please keep in mind that this is after tax incentives. So let's just assume the tax incentives are zero and call it 27,000 just to be on the safe side.
- Looks about right.
  https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a64564869/2027-slate-truck-revealed/
  The Slate Truck is a bare-bones EV that's expected to cost a little under $27,500, which can drop to less than $20,000 with the federal EV tax credit included.
  
  a little under $27,500
  Soooo $27,499?
- Elon: I'm going to rule America to make people buy my shit.
  Trump: I'm removing EV tax credits.
  Elon: Why is nobody buying my overpriced deathtraps?
Cool but now I’m worried this is being spammed everywhere. New capitalism marketing at foot?
- yea im already slightly tired of seeing this truck after the day(s) it's been promoted.
  
  Really? This is the first place I've seen it. Then again, I use an ad blocker everywhere.
Whoa, now that raised an eyebrow. Doesn't look like the truck bed is ridiculously high. This checks a lot of boxes, and my crap vertebrae agree.
Definitely following this company.
- It's smaller than the Hyundai Santa Cruz; my dad has one of those, and it's not very big (smaller than a Ranger).
  This truck is positively tiny.
  I want one.
Under $20k after federal incentives*
- Yeah, this is my issue with the government incentives for EVs, especially now that they are more common and can be deducted from the sale price. Most retailers are just jacking up the price to whatever the cap for the rebate is while pretending it's still a good deal.
  
  I hardly think $27.5k could be considered "jacking up the price" but I also don't appreciate advertising pricing that is dependent on a government incentive that may not even exist when the vehicles are actually delivered.
  
  This is the same argument used for blaming the cost of college on government loans for education, for $$$ housing prices in cities that offer low income subsidies, for food prices due to food stamps...
239 miles / 150 miles for big/small battery in angry eagle units.
Tbh, I'm super into this. Especially if the range could be extended slightly or if the truck is somewhat hackable.
But then... Bezos. Ugh.
What if, and here me out here, what if, and that’s a crazy thought, what if cars don’t have be ridicules in size and battery capacity is actually used more efficiently rather than carrying dead weight.
- But I need my land barge to potentially carry 9000 pounds and 6 people for at least 400 miles without a break, even if I can barely manage to satisfy one of those criteria once a year. Otherwise it's a miserable failure that must be mocked.
  
  Fuckin' seriously. I've got friends who are like "I wouldn't even consider an electric car until they have 1000 miles of range and can charge in fifteen minutes," like bruh, you make two road trips a year and have four kids; even if we pretend you weren't a two car family that takes the minivan anyway when you're traveling, there's no way your kids are making it a quarter of the range you "need" without stopping.
- what if cars don’t have be ridicules in size
  Then you may be interested in this vehicle. It's about as long as the Kia Niro at 4.4m.
  carrying dead weight
  I mean, even in a 5 seater sedan, you're gonna be carrying dead weight. Are you suggesting everyone ride bikes or motorcycles instead?
Where’s the bullet point for Bezos? Hard pass if that shit bag is involved in anyway.
- He's a billionaire, and he's a normal billionaire at that. Investing is literally the only thing they do.
No mention of safety in the article. Does a manufacturer of this size have to do crash tests?
Also, this sounds like the Spirit/Ryanair of cars. Everything costs extra.
For years, I drove ~10-20 minutes to and from work. Mostly stroads and freeway. I could never justify buying an extra nice car because I didn't use it that much. Same for a nice car stereo. I'd just listen to NPR and talk radio for news, traffic reports, and maybe a quirky story about some cultural oddity or eclectic artist. If I spend thousands on a sound system it goes in my house, where I live and vibe. Now I work from home, ride my bike everywhere, and a tank of gas can easily last me a month. My current car was purchased for about $20k. If my car died for some reason, I don't even know if I'd be willing to part with 20k to replace it. I appreciate that these guys are building something for ordinary people and not another faux luxury lifted minivan the size of a garbage truck.
I can see a lot of retired people buying one of these to drive to their once a week bridge tournament or bingo night.
- I can see a lot of retired people buying one of these to drive to their once a week bridge tournament or bingo night.
  They would be far better served with a regular car instead of a pickup
  
  Luckily you can add a hardtop and seats (and airbags!) to the rear to make it into an SUV. Appears to be a modular design.
  I would seriously consider this little thing if 1) it actually happens at that price point and 2) retains this modular design (lmao)
  Though I would prefer an AWD option. I do like to take my vehicles off-road...
  
  If you need a car just once a week you shouldn't own a car at all. Take the bus!
- They say they're shooting for a 5 star crash rating.
- I believe so if they want to be highway legal.
  I want this to be successful
Everyone seems to hate this thing based on marketing but I actually kind of liked the looks of it, sigh.
- Yeah, what's wrong with it? It looks like a simple truck for around town use, and it's fairly cheap.
  
  My only deal breaker is the lack of 4x4. I love this truck, but I will not buy a truck without 4 wheel drive.
- I love this thing too hell and back. This is exactly what I want in a car/truck.
Curb weight 1634kg
This was the standout spec that might make me consider one.
I've been looking mainly at small hatchbacks/SUVs, and they all seem to weigh in at over 1800kg. And many are over 2000kg. Excluding Aptera...
- What makes that spec a priority for you?
  
  Tires? General handling? Crash safety for others?
  
  Weight affects basically everything. Less weight means less cost to buy, better range, better handling, less cost of maintenance (brakes, tires, etc), better safety, less getting stuck off-road, and so on..
  
  Others have answered this well already 👍
  
  .
Sounds like the consumer version of the DHL StreetScooter Work (L), with those even the passenger seat is an optional extra. Trouble was that while it's the perfect vehicle for last-mile distribution routes most companies doing that kind of thing (like bakeries) don't have the finances to back up an actual car producer, and DHL didn't want to become a car producer. Taking over the company to get their hands on the trucks, yes, but bringing it to scale so they wouldn't have to subsidise it? Not their business. And German car manufactures don't want to build it because small bare-bones vehicles don't have margin, anything smaller and less fancy than an actual van doesn't make sense to them given the fixed cost of their production lines. Don't worry, though, the inventor got the rights back, production is moving to Thailand, new vehicle is in the pipeline, with the core components (chassis etc.) designed for a 50 year lifetime. I'm sure DHL will figure out how to deliver delivery vans.
I struggle to understand the point of a truck that can only tow 500kg… that and such awful range. If the range were doubled this would be a great deal, but as is it’s just dead in the water.
- That's because you're thinking of trucks used first and foremost for heavy duty "truck stuff." That is not the only market for trucks, at least in the US: https://www.thedrive.com/news/26907/you-dont-need-a-full-size-pickup-truck-you-need-a-cowboy-costume
  According to Edwards’ data, 75 percent of truck owners use their truck for towing one time a year or less (meaning, never). Nearly 70 percent of truck owners go off-road one time a year or less. And a full 35 percent of truck owners use their truck for hauling—putting something in the bed, its ostensible raison d’être—once a year or less.
- $20k with some cargo for a car is pretty good. If you need a F150, then you'll have to pay for one.
  
  I mean, are there any cars available in the US for just $20k? I'm pretty sure a base Mazda 3 was more than that when we bought ours five years ago (before the pandemic, and ours is a higher trim model). I don't think they're making the really small cars any more (like the Toyota Yaris).
  Short version, I'm skeptical of this price point for even a small pickup. Great if they can do it.
- It can probably tow more, usually 500 kg is like the bare minimum for American cars. Also us towing standards are a bit more strict. A car in the EU is rated to tow more than a car in the US, even if it's identical.
  
  Even if it were 1000kg, that’s still way below what a truck would want to tow though.
- Low towing capacity and an outrageously miserable bed size. Less than five feet? The powertrain of this should have been put in a station wagon, not a "truck."
  
  There used to be a market for small trucks which has all largely evaporated. I'm all in favour of a smaller utility truck with limited range. Something like this would be ideal for my business.
availability slated for Q4 2026
- I see what you did there.
Very interesting, but please give me power windows and a dumb infotainment unit that does Android Auto/CarPlay. No Internet connection. No integration with the rest of the car.
- Available as optional extras
- and lose the blinding headlights and automatic high beams
After seeing announcements and headlines like this for over 10 years and just about nothing available for sale I just kind of yawn Now. Good way to raise some venture capital though. does it have AI? let's do this
- AI catalytic converter technology!
Is this a $20k kit car or a $20k truck that they build for you?
- Both options available
  
  Hmm, apparently so. I am going to assume if they build it for you it'll cost more. Also I found the configurator
Car dependency is a dead end for humanity regardless of what shit-boxes they manufacture.
- For urban environments I 100% agree, but e-bikes and public transport can't help farmers* get their produce to market. I don't know much about this truck, but if it can fill a similar niche as the Japanese kei truck, I think it's great to provide people who actually need a pickup with an alternative to the F-150+ behemoths currently available stateside.
  *Yes there are some urban farms that totally could operate via ebike/other form of micro mobility, however most farms, even small ones, are located >10 miles outside urban centers, usually in areas only accessible by roads and highways that are currently very dangerous for non-motorized transportation modes. Fixing this problem would take decades and hundreds of billions if not trillions of dollars even if the government were fully on board with the transportation network and/or land use changes necessary to allow for a true car-free society (which of course they aren't). I'm not such an idealist as to poo-poo a significant short-term improvement to the "oversized working vehicle" problem.
  
  Agreed. Whether everyone should be driving everywhere is a completely separate problem. In the short term, people need replacements for current ICE vehicles, and an inexpensive truck that runs on electricity is fantastic while we figure out the rest of the issues.
  I'm guessing eventually farmers won't need trucks, they'll need bots that fulfill that need instead.
- Some of us live in spread out communities or rural areas. You don't expect all humans to live in a 2x2 ft cube in a 30 story tall building do you? Also, I guarantee not everyone else wants to live right next to other humans. I try to get as far as possible so I can do anything I want (be loud, be outside at any time, have parties etc). There is actually enough livable land on the planet for every single human to have 2 acres worth. Now, should people have children when there is already billions of us, that's another question.
  
  According to this guy, you are the reason humans will die
- What's the solution for transport around farms and factories and such then? Trucks will always be needed.
  Or for people in rural areas? Its 10 miles to the grocery store for me, if there was a bike lane or something I'd love to ride an ebike when I have the time and in the summer. But certainly not in the winter, or when I'm short on time and don't have 1+ hours to bike there.
What is up with those pickup trucks anyway? Why do so many people in the U.S. (and elsewhere) buy them?
Everything that you put in the back is subjected to weather and one of first additions people buy is a cover.
Compare that to a mini bus or transporter, you can transport as much or more than with a pickup truck, protected from weather, and you can add or remove chairs, if you need to transport people.
If you have a transporter, you can also much easier furnish the inside with racks etc, to improve space use.
- Sometimes you need to move a thing that is oddly shaped and doesn't fit within the confines of an enclosure
  Depending on what you're hauling, you may want separation between the cab and the payload. Like if I'm moving dirt, I'd rather not have it rolling around my cabin
  Easier to clean, just take a hose to it without needing to worry about soaking the cabin
  Access isn't limited to just the door, which can be useful when unloading something
  
  Sometimes you need to move a thing that is oddly shaped and doesn't fit within the confines of an enclosure
  Like what? And is that a common use case?
  Depending on what you're hauling, you may want separation between the cab and the payload. Like if I'm moving dirt, I'd rather not have it rolling around my cabin
  Or just put down a nylon sheet, put the dirt on top, fold the nylon sheet over it and bind it down. Now it is covered under and over and will not fly around.
  In most cases I guess people will just buy prepackaged earth in bags. That also doesn't fly around.
  Sure, if you are one of the very few people that work in the woods or on a field, where this common use case, then alright. But that would not explain why those cars are so common.
  Easier to clean, just take a hose to it without needing to worry about soaking the cabin
  Buy a bus with removable carpet, then you can just hose it down as well. Many buses have a small step, which separates the cabin from the back, so water will not flow into the cabin.
  Access isn't limited to just the door, which can be useful when unloading something
  There are many different rear door types and sliding side doors on the side that provide ample and easy access. This isn't difficult or complicated.
  That didn't convince me that pickup trucks are not a very specialized vehicle for just some uses, while transporters and mini busses are much more useful for all kinds of purposes. Be it furniture, tools, sport equipment, electronics and other sensitive equipment, and people. While also being good at hauling the occasional dirty stuff, if you just put something underneath.
This is actually pretty cool and makes sense. Can’t wait to see what the 3D printer community does with this if the dash can be customized with accessories. Anyone know when a test drive would be covered?
One thing that makes me nervous is that there are so many screws exposed. It seems like it would be really easy for thieves to just walk up with a hex key and steal your bumper or panels.... 🤔
- The panels are plastic, so while this is a concern, they probably wouldn't get much for them. Bumper I'm less sure about.
  
  A buddy of mine got his Tacoma tailgate stolen in broad daylight during a kid's football game... I hope any really valuable parts are secured...
- Use some Rokset on all your fasteners; the only way to break the threadlocker is with heat, and heat would also destroy the bodywork. So you could still replace damaged panels, but you couldn't steal them.
- You can already theoretically do this with the doors on a Jeep, but it hasn't exactly turned into an epidemic.
Toyota Tacoma didn’t exist in 1985. The first model year was 1995. Did you mean a 1985 toyota pickup/hilux?
- Whoops! I did mean the Toyota Pickup. Thanks! https://www.iseecars.com/car/1985-toyota-pickup-dimensions
Elon now bezo. Noice
At least tell me there’s a DIN slot in the dashboard. As long as I can connect my phone via Bluetooth I’m good.
Something like this I imagine I'd be happy with. A sedan/crossover and this. Wouldn't take it out the county. Just trips to hardware/gardening stores and moving furniture. More than enough range and speed to go to work too. Any long drive I'd probably get an Accord hybrid or something. 2 vehicle family
- Same. We have two cars and three kids. One needs to be comfortable for longer trips, camping, etc, and the other just needs to go to work and back. This would be perfect for the second, and double as a furniture, garden stuff , dump, etc hauler around town.
  I personally hate trucks, but this is in the price range and could be handy.
I've heard this song before. Lordstown Motors, for example.
If they can get some trucks rolling out the door, I'll get interested real quick.
Absolute dream. Please build it!!
150kWatt and a top speed of 145? That's kind of insane?
Wait a minute, mph not km/h I guess.
- Yeah, 145km/h might be a liiitle under powered. I drive between 120km/h to 130km/h on the US interstates.
  
  How are you doing kph in the US?
If pickups and other monstrosities were limited to people that can prove they need it, or even just to professionals, we wouldn't need the stupid paradoxical concept of an EV pickup. Like "oh my flame thrower that I use to light birthday candles runs on biofuel, so we're good"
- What's wrong with an EV pickup? Pickups are incredibly useful, and if it's an EV, it could also be a commuter. I don't need a truck very often, so I tend to rent when I need one, because they're so terrible on fuel. But if it's an EV, there's a chance it's reasonably efficient, so I could use it as my commuter and occasional dump/furniture store/hardware store/nursury run vehicle.
  This isn't going to attract those dudes who like to lift their trucks and piss off everyone on the road, this is too small for those egos. This is going to appeal to people who need a truck for local use, like small business owners and DIY types.
  
  How many people actually need them though? You are one individual making your case, there are millions on the roads.
  I once moved a small fridge in my Honda civic
- I actually think for once, you guys do it
- Here ya go, plenty of freedom units.
- 0-60mph is mostly deprecated these days in favor of 0-62mph, which just so happens to be the same as 0-100km/h --- what a coincidence!
It’s not a truck to me if the bed can’t fit a sheet of plywood.
EDIT: which you will see it cannot if you look at the dimensions listed. Plywood is 48”x96”
- It can fit a sheet of plywood.
  https://www.theverge.com/electric-cars/655527/slate-electric-truck-price-paint-radio-bezos
  
  Look closer and read the dimensions. The Verge say “it can hold a sheet of plywood” in text but if you look at the dimensions, there isn’t 48” of space between the wheel wells, so it has to be propped up on them seesawing back and forth. And there is not 96” of length to support it, even with the tailgate down. At best you could limp home with one sheet rocking around, sticking out behind you. Forget transporting a stack.
  It’s yet another urban toy truck that’s not equipped for actual utility.
- Yeah, that's disappointing, and the maximum payload/tow capacity significantly under a ton is also a bummer. I may still need to rent a truck if I get this, but it could handle a lot of my local hauling needs.

209 comments