The electric vehicle market just met its newest disruptor: the 2027 Slate Truck.
Nascent automaker Slate revealed a minimalist EV pickup that will start just under $27,500.
With federal EV tax credits, the Slate Truck’s cost plummets to a mind-blowing under $20,000.
Buyers hungry for affordability and flexibility may have found their perfect match.
Slate’s story began in 2022 as a project within Re:Build Manufacturing, co-founded by Jeff Wilke and Miles Arnone. By 2023, Slate secured over $111 million in funding, reportedly with backing from Jeff Bezos himself. Now, Slate aims to revolutionize budget EV ownership, starting deliveries from a repurposed Midwest factory by late 2026.
The 2027 Slate Truck embraces pure functionality over frills
It strips away luxuries, keeping only essentials like power locks, cruise control, and a digital gauge cluster.
Even basic comforts like audio systems, power windows, and painted panels take a backseat.
Drivers must dock their phones or tablets to enjoy music or navigation. Still craving speakers? Slate’s accessory division stands ready to deliver.
Buyers can choose from over 100 accessories, turning their base truck into a lifted beast or even an SUV.
An SUV kit adds a rear bench, roll bar, airbags, and a covered bed to transform the pickup’s form.
Slate expects most upgrades to be DIY-friendly, but it plans a network of authorized service centers for help.
Standard Slate Trucks feature a 47-kWh battery with a 150-mile range.
However, customers can upgrade to a 75-kWh pack, pushing range estimates to 240 miles.
Charging caps at 120 kW, delivering practical real-world usability for most commuters.
The body wears rugged unpainted gray composite panels, minimizing costs by skipping traditional paint processes.
However, vinyl wraps and alloy wheels await those wanting style with their savings.
At just 174.6 inches long, the Slate Truck sits smaller than a Subaru Crosstrek.
It offers two seats, a five-foot bed, a 7.0-cubic-foot front trunk, and impressive utility for its size.
Towing capacity sits at 1000 pounds, while payload capacity hits 1433 pounds, challenging bigger rivals.
Underneath, a rear-mounted motor delivers 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.
Slate estimates 0-60 mph sprints in 8.0 seconds for the standard model.
Opting for bigger batteries or the SUV kit slightly slows acceleration but boosts range and versatility.
One notable omission? All-wheel drive
Slate keeps it simple with a single-motor setup, though lifted kits and rugged tires hint at trail ambitions.
While critics argue the Truck seems too bare for its sticker price, the math changes after tax credits.
Few vehicles, electric or not, offer this level of personalization and utility for under $20,000.
With additional state incentives like Colorado’s $3500 rebate, some buyers could drive off paying under $16,500.
Slate’s debut may not appeal to luxury EV shoppers, but budget-minded adventurers should take notice.
In a sea of expensive electric pickups, the Slate Truck writes a bold, frills-free new chapter.
