Slate reveals back-to-basics electric ute in production form
- On Wednesday, Jeff Bezos-backed startup Slate Auto released final details for the "Blank Slate" truck, priced at $24,950 without federal tax credits, and immediately received 10,000 pre-orders after opening its web portal.
- Originally announced last year with a target price below $20,000 including incentives, the truck's cost increased after federal tax credits were axed in September 2025, with production starting at year-end in Warsaw, Indiana.
- Designed as a bare-bones vehicle, the truck features crank windows and lacks a built-in stereo, though Slate encourages personalization through accessories including wraps starting at $500.
- Despite shifting pricing, Slate has secured 180,000 total reservations and relies on a direct-to-consumer sales model, bypassing traditional dealerships entirely.
- Analysts compare the vehicle's minimalist approach to the resurgence of flip phones, though whether drivers will embrace this back-to-basics strategy remains uncertain in today's automotive landscape.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Slate's $24,950 EV truck is tiny, stripped-down, and ridiculously customizable
Slate is coming to market with a bare-bones, tiny pickup truck. The company is hoping drivers will customize it from there.SlateSlate's tiny pickup starts at $24,950, putting it in the rare category of new cars under $25,000.The Jeff Bezos-backed startup says buyers can customize the truck with hundreds of add-ons.More than 10,000 people placed $300 preorders in its first four live hours, the company told BI.Slate wants its tiny electric truck t…
With manual windows, a minimalist interior, and no frills, the new Slate Truck embraces a completely different philosophy. Its electric platform, over 200 accessories, and an unprecedented starting price allow you to reserve it today for just $300.
How the Slate Truck Got So Cheap
Today’s top-of-the-line electric vehicles are self-driving computers on wheels built to feel as futuristic and digital as possible. They come with artificial intelligence-powered assistants, enormous touchscreen interfaces, and huge batteries. The Slate pickup truck’s signature feature? Hand-crank windows.As Slate Auto has developed its attempt at the bare-bones EV over the past couple of years, its 1990s-nostalgic manual windows became a symbol…
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