Slate Auto's new electric pick-up truck is everything the Tesla Cybertruck isn't and could be a big hit

Date:
Fri, 25 Apr 2025 13:24:28 +0000

FULL STORY ======================================================================
- Amazon-backed Slate Auto arrives out of the blue with tantalizing product
- Ultra-simple pick-up truck is designed for everyday use
- Expected EV range is up to 240 miles

Seemingly out of the blue, an Amazon-backed EV start-up has arrived on the scene, offering an ultra-simple, low-price electric pick-up truck for the
North American market.

With funding from Amazons Jeff Bezos, Slate Auto is proposing a basic, highly configurable pick-up truck that bucks the trend of a gargantuan footprint and masses of wasted space, for a compact and highly configurable shell that is built for hard work.

Sizing up more like a classic Toyota or Nissan truck from the early 1980s,
the Slate pick-up features easily-wrapped composite panels that are refreshingly free of chrome and other decorative touches.

Instead, Slate says it has made the panels as easy to wrap as possible and
will sell custom decal and wrap kits for as little as $500 no expensive metallic paint options here.

In addition to this, Slate is aiming for a base price of $27,000 (around
20,000 / AU$42,000), which could see some trucks sold for as little as
$20,000 or less, depending on local incentives and tax breaks.

The retro-styled two-seat pick-up truck comes with as 1047-liter load bay
that is an easy height for both loading and hauling equipment, while the rear can be converted to a five-seat SUV with the appropriate kit and and rear tonneau cover, sold by Slate.

In terms of power, this is handled by a single motor that is mounted on the rear axle. So far, Slate has said that the option of a 52.7kWh or a larger 84.3kWh battery will be on the table both of which are mounted under the
floor for maximum load space and interior roominess.

The truck will have a relatively restrained (for an EV, anyway) 201bhp and
195 lb ft torque on tap, with the 0-60mph sprint time pegged at eight-seconds flat. The top speed is just 90mph.

Theres a sizable frunk at the front, which is large enough for a couple of carry-on suitcases, while the interior is deliberately basic: theres a phone
or tablet holder and the option of adding accessory speakers that sit inside the glovebox.

Analysis: The world's first practical electric pick-up?

Rather than attempting to compete with Elon Musks Cybertruck , Slate has deliberately taken the polar opposite approach keeping things cheap and simple, offering a good old-fashioned pick-up truck that can be bought by the masses and worked hard.

While the body style might now be a lifestyle choice, there are still vast swathes of North America (and beyond) that require a truck for daily use, whether thats for work or simply hauling lots of lifestyle accessories.

Granted, it wont have the load or towing capacity of some of the largest
trucks out there. But Slate's offering looks great and it touted to be comfortable and, above all else, really simple.

The interior is stylish enough to not look completely utilitarian, but it is also refreshingly bereft of massive displays and soft surfaces that get
chewed up with daily hard usage.

It comes as standard with basic cruise control, central locking and a USB charging point, because everyone has a smartphone or tablet, right? So let
the devices in our pockets take on infotainment duties.

However, the company has ensured it has got the EV stuff right, namely a
decent battery and useable daily range, as well as fast charging that it says will see a 10-80% top-up take just 30 minutes.

Despite Slate seemingly springing out of nowhere, it ticks a lot of boxes for me. Its everything the Tesla Cybertruck isnt.

Small, understated, neatly styled, practical, well considered and well within the reach of most folks budget. The Michigan-based EV start-up will commence production of its utilitarian truck next year and I wouldnt be surprised if
its a huge success.

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/slate-autos-ne w-electric-pick-up-truck-is-everything-the-tesla-cybertruck-isnt-and-could-be- a-big-hit

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