Introducing the Slate Truck: Affordable Innovation in Electric Vehicles

Ask just about anyone, and they’ll say buying a new car these days is a wallet-drainer. With tariffs rattling the auto market and the Trump administration hinting at cutting the federal incentives for electric vehicles (EVs), the outlook seems grim, particularly for those interested in battery-powered rides. To shake up this costly norm, a bold move is needed, and that’s precisely what Slate Auto intends to deliver. Enter the Slate Truck—an electric vehicle set to cost under $20,000 after accounting for federal incentives, scheduled to begin production next year. Designed for two passengers, it boasts a spacious bed capable of accommodating a sheet of plywood. With a range of 150 miles per charge, available only in gray, and requiring drivers to bring their own phone and Bluetooth speaker for music, it represents the essence of simplicity in modern auto manufacturing. Despite its seemingly bare-bones approach, this vehicle emerged from three years of hard work and innovation.

However, the Slate Truck is more than just about low-cost driving. Slate Auto sees it as a minimalist masterpiece with a “do-it-yourself” twist, aiming not just to slash prices but to inaugurate a new category focused intensely on customer personalization. Its streamlined design also paves the way for cost-effective production, attracting significant attention from investors, including reportedly, Jeff Bezos. The truck is engineered and will be built in America. The question remains: will this radical minimalism resonate with American buyers?