Slate Auto was under research and development for three years, until April this year, when it revealed its Slate Auto 2-door EV pickup. The maiden car from the company made headlines for announcing over 100 customisation options.
The company is now gearing up to roll out its EV to customers in the US. Slate Auto is backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and LA Dodgers owner Mark Walter. The 2-door EV pickup has piqued the interest of many EV enthusiasts, as evidenced by the more than 100,000 refundable reservations made following its announcement.
It’s not an EV which promises insane speeds nor it is a range superstar, and it’s unlikely to withstand being shot at. However, one may need not break the bank to own it.
This simple car was designed to offer an EV pickup under $20,000 as per the federal incentives. But the car is likely to cost $7,500 more following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ with a September end date for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. This means the credit will not allow trucks to come in the under $20,000 bracket – a key promise of Slate Auto.
Following the announcement, Slate Auto’s website made the changes to state that the vehicle will actually start somewhere in the ‘mid twenties’, meaning it would now cost more than $20,000, even before adding alloy wheels, a larger battery, several body types, extras, or custom wraps.
What is Slate Auto?
Slate has claimed that it is solely focused on one vehicle. “We’re all about doing one thing really well,” said the company. The Slate EV pickup comes with a 52.7 kWh standard battery pack, with a range of about 150 miles (241 km), and consumers can also opt for an extendable 240 miles (386 km). The single motor powering the rear wheels produces a power output of 201 hp and 264 Nm of torque.
Slate’s objective behind going back to the basics is to produce more affordable EVs. The pickup features no infotainment but retains the classic roll-down windows along with an HVAC system. Users would have to bring their own phone or tablet to mount the dash if they want any infotainment.
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It is generally perceived that affordable cars mean the manufacturer will compromise on safety. However, Slate includes eight airbags, a front collision warning system, and emergency braking. Instead of flashy cars, Slate intends to offer an ultra-cheap customisable pickup trucks. The manufacturing facility of the car in Troy, Michigan, is reportedly filled with prototypes and crash-tested vehicles.
Additionally, the Slate may be converted into a five-seat SUV with an optional accessory package. Slate is offering the “unlimited personalisation”option through hundreds of extra components that allow one to customise the truck. It also features custom wraps. Overall, it seems there is a strong DIY bent to the promotion of the Slate vehicle.
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