Slate Auto previews a stripped-down electric pickup starting below $25,000

Startup Slate Auto is readying a bare-bones, two-seater electric pickup that starts at $24,950. The Slate Truck pairs a 65 kWh battery pack with a rear-mounted motor generating 181 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, yielding an estimated 205 miles of range, a 1,500-pound payload capacity, and NACS DC fast-charging support. To address long-term reliability concerns, the automaker is backing the vehicle with a 10-year, 110,000-mile battery and powertrain warranty. [2]

Achieving that entry price requires significant cost-cutting and a distinctly manual interior. Early looks at the truck reveal crank windows, entirely manual side mirrors, and manually adjusted seats. Because the seats sit flush against the barrier dividing the cabin from the bed, there is virtually no room to recline. However, both the steering column and seats offer generous reach adjustments, and the dashboard features mechanical climate knobs, an integrated phone mount, and a minimalist digital cluster that shows vehicle speed alongside mandatory backup camera footage when shifted into reverse. [1][2]

While base models ship in a plain gray exterior dubbed "Blank Slate," the company is offering custom vinyl wraps to personalize the body, including an early promotional wrap made with Smarties. Early test drives suggest the compact pickup's bed offers practical cargo space comparable to conventional rivals like the Hyundai Santa Cruz, positioning the truck as an ultra-affordable alternative to costly electric pickups from Rivian, Chevrolet, and GMC. [1][2]