On April 24, 2025, Slate Auto, a brand new electrical car startup backed by Jeff Bezos, unveiled its first product: a compact, bare-bones electrical pickup truck named the “clean Slate.” This revolutionary car is designed to be each reasonably priced and customizable, with a beginning worth of $27,500 (roughly CAD 38,000) or below $20,000 (about CAD 27,750) after U.S. federal incentives. The simplicity and modularity of the Slate pickup goal to draw a various vary of consumers searching for a cost-effective electrical choice.
The clean Slate is a two-seat regular-cab pickup truck that may be transformed right into a five-seat SUV. Its minimalist design contains metal wheels, crank home windows, and no touchscreen—homeowners can use their smartphones for infotainment through a mount and charger. The car’s inside is stripped all the way down to the necessities, aligning with Slate’s philosophy of decreasing pointless options to chop prices and improve reliability. As Slate CEO Chris Barman acknowledged, “The definition of what’s reasonably priced is damaged,” emphasizing the necessity for a car that meets actual buyer wants.
With a size of 4,435 mm (174.6 inches), width of 1,793 mm (70.6 inches), and peak of 1,760 mm (69.3 inches), the clean Slate is notably smaller than many modern pickups. It boasts a payload capability of 635 kg (1,400 lbs) and is provided with a 198-litre frunk and a 1,048-litre field. The rear-drive format is powered by a 52.7-kWh battery, delivering 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain permits the car to speed up from zero to 96 km/h (60 mph) in eight seconds and attain a high velocity of 144 km/h (90 mph). Moreover, the Slate can tow as much as 454 kg (1,000 lbs), making it a sensible alternative for light-duty duties.
Charging occasions are aggressive, with a Degree 2 house charger able to absolutely charging the battery from 20% to 100% in below 5 hours. For these on the go, a Degree 3 120-kW DC quick charger can cost the battery from 20% to 80% in lower than half-hour. Slate Auto additionally plans to supply an non-obligatory 84.3-kWh battery, which can improve the driving vary to 384 km (roughly 239 miles), interesting to these needing longer-range capabilities.
Customization is a key function of the clean Slate, with over 100 equipment accessible for buy, permitting prospects to personalize their automobiles extensively. Choices embrace physique wraps, customized grilles, bumpers, and inside upgrades like sound bars. Prospects can select from pre-packaged kits tailor-made for particular makes use of, such because the “Seashore Sure” bundle, which options an open-air design with no doorways or roof, or “The Doer,” which comes with a kitted-out utility mattress. This method is paying homage to how shoppers can modify house computer systems, providing a DIY ethos that resonates with a youthful viewers.
Regardless of its attraction, the Slate pickup enters a aggressive market. After experiencing fast progress between 2019 and 2023, electrical car gross sales have slowed considerably on account of excessive costs. In keeping with McKinsey & Co., the typical EV purchaser spends about $55,000 after contemplating MSRP, choices, and incentives. With many EVs at the moment priced between $30,000 and $40,000, Slate’s pricing technique goals to disrupt this development.
Trade consultants consider that reasonably priced EVs are essential for exciting demand. Phillip Kampshoff, co-founder of McKinsey’s Middle for Future Mobility, acknowledged, “You have got to have the ability to promote low cost EVs” to set off the following surge in demand. Whereas established manufacturers like Ford and Tesla are working to introduce extra reasonably priced fashions, Slate’s method focuses on excessive cost-cutting and customization.
Along with its aggressive pricing, Slate Auto plans to leverage the advertising and marketing energy of Amazon, which might considerably improve its visibility within the market. The corporate is ready to start manufacturing in a brand new facility in Indiana, with expectations to supply as much as 150,000 electrical pickups yearly. Deliveries are anticipated to begin in late 2026, with advance reservations already open for a refundable deposit of $50.
Nevertheless, some analysts categorical skepticism concerning the viability of Slate’s mannequin. Sam Fiorani, lead analyst at AutoForecast Options, cautioned that whereas the marketplace for reasonably priced EVs is promising, the corporate should deal with the sensible wants of its target market. Many potential consumers could lack the power to cost at house, which might deter them from buying an EV, no matter its worth.
As Slate Auto embarks on this formidable journey, it represents a big shift within the electrical car panorama. By prioritizing affordability, simplicity, and customization, the corporate is poised to draw a brand new demographic of EV consumers who’re looking forward to a sensible, budget-friendly choice. With its distinctive method, the clean Slate might redefine what shoppers count on from electrical pickups, paving the best way for a brand new period of accessible electrical mobility.
In conclusion, Slate Auto’s introduction of the clean Slate pickup truck marks a daring step towards making electrical automobiles extra accessible to the typical client. With its revolutionary design, aggressive pricing, and intensive customization choices, the clean Slate might very effectively grow to be a game-changer within the EV market.
