A stripped-down electric truck you can truly make your own.
Slate Truck: It’s no secret new cars are getting more expensive every year. Bigger screens, more advanced technology, and flashy features have all driven up costs across the board. Even so-called “budget” vehicles now often come loaded with dealer add-ons that push prices well beyond their original MSRP.
That’s where Slate steps in—a brand-new name in the automotive world with a mission to change how we think about electric vehicles. Its first creation, the Slate Truck, is a compact, electric pickup designed with one big idea: start simple and let owners build the rest. And with a projected post-incentive price of under $20,000, it could completely shake up the EV market.
While You Care for Your Car, Care for Your Child’s Future Too 💖
A fun and educational book every parent should gift their kid.
Get Kiddy Store Fortune Now
Built to Be Basic
The Slate Truck is being built in Michigan using as many American-sourced components as possible. The launch model keeps things refreshingly simple: a two-door, regular-cab truck with a 4-foot-high and 5-foot-wide bed. It’s slightly smaller than the Ford Maverick but aims to pack just as much practicality.
Its body panels are unpainted, molded composites in—you guessed it—Slate Gray. The truck rolls on steel wheels that are as no-nonsense as they come. But make no mistake basic doesn’t mean unsafe. The Slate Truck features essential safety components, including front automatic emergency braking, multiple airbags, and stability control.
Inside, simplicity continues. Expect manual cloth seats, crank windows, and physical knobs for climate control. A 4-inch display serves as a backup camera screen, while a phone mount on the dashboard allows you to use Slate’s companion app for navigation and entertainment. Features like touchscreens and power windows are available but only if you choose to add them later.
Performance That Prioritizes Simplicity
The Slate Truck is powered by a 201-hp electric motor that powers the back wheels and a 52.7-kWh battery under the hood, or more accurately under the floor. For an entry-level EV truck, the company anticipates a 0–60 mph speed of roughly 8 seconds.
An extra 84.3-kWh battery could increase the standard battery’s anticipated 150-mile range to about 240 miles. In the future Slate plans to implement an all-wheel-drive (AWD) variant.
Utility-wise the Slate Truck has a reasonable payload capacity of 1,433 pound and can tow up to 1,000 pounds. It will work with the quickly expanding North American charging network because it employs the NACS (Tesla-style) charging interface.
Your Truck, Your Way
Forget expensive trim levels or confusing option packages. Slate philosophy is all about modular customization. You begin with a blank canvas and add only what you desire.
Do you want a big touchscreen or a heated seat? You can add those later. Looking to turn it into a mini SUV? You can remove the cabin wall, add seats, and install a roll-hoop and cap. From suspension upgrades to wrap kits and roof racks, almost every part is customizable.
Slate also plans to open-source its platform, letting third-party creators design compatible parts and share them online. Their digital design hub, Slate Maker, allows you to visualize your dream configuration, while Slate University will provide step-by-step DIY tutorials.
It’s a modern, community-driven take on the old-school DIY car culture.
Who’s It For?
Not just auto aficionados are the target market for Slate. Because of its flexibility and affordability it’s ideal for:
- Owners of small businesses who want a basic work vehicle
- Local government fleets seeking to save expenses
- Drivers on a tight budget who desire an inexpensive EV
- DIY enthusiasts that enjoy personalizing their vehicles
Assuming present regulations remain in place the anticipated starting price is approximately $27,000 before incentives or less than $20,000 after federal EV credits.
Naturally, some drivers may want a car with more features straight out of the factory. However, the Slate Truck offers unparalleled value for those who are prepared to begin simply and gradually customize.
Big Promise, Big Questions
For now, the Slate Truck is still in its prototype stage. It has yet to receive full safety certifications and production logistics are still being finalized. The open customization model could also present unique legal and safety challenges that traditional automakers typically avoid.
But the idea is powerful. At a time when EVs are becoming more expensive Slate offers a return to something simpler and more user-driven. It’s a back-to-basic approach that could redefine affordable electric mobility.
Production is scheduled to begin in late 2026 with customer deliveries expected in early 2027. And honestly, we can’t wait to see how people will personalize their Slate Trucks.
2027 Slate Truck Key Specs
- Expected Pricing: $27,000
- Layout: rear-drive, two-passenger, two-door pick-up
- Motor: 201 hp / 195 lb-ft electric
- Battery (Standard): 52.7 kWh
- Battery (Optional): 84.3 kWh
- Range: 150–240 miles (est.)
- 0–60 mph: ~8.0 seconds
- Claiming Towing Capacity: 1,000 lbs
- Payload: 1,433 lbs
- Charging Port: NACS (Tesla-style)
- On Sale: Winter 2026
Conclusion
The 2027 Slate Truck is an inexpensive, useful, and adaptable electric vehicle—something the EV industry sorely needs. More people than ever before can now acquire an EV thanks to Slate’s focus on functionality and reduction of superfluous features.
The Slate Truck has the potential to be a game-changer for small businesses, do-it-yourselfers, and anybody else looking for an electric workhorse that is both versatile and dependable.
FAQ’s
Q1. What is the projected price of the Slate Truck?
A: The starting price is expected to be approximately $27,000 before influence or less than $20,000 post application of federal EV credit.
Q2. Will the Slate Truck have all wheel drive?
A: The first version will be a rear wheel drive unit but there is a plan for a dual motor AWD variant in the future.
Q3. What is the location of Slate production?
A: The truck is manufacture in Michigan, USA with emphasis on incorporating American sourced part.
Also Read: Best Torque Wrenches