In a time when pickups are getting bigger, bolder, and more expensive, a new American company is bucking the trend with something completely different. It’s called simply Slate, and it’s a minimalist, modular EV pickup that promises to do one thing really well: be whatever you need it to be — at a starting price of under $20,000 (£15,000).
This back-to-basics electric truck is one of the most intriguing developments in the EV pickup market for some time.
Slate Auto is a Michigan-based startup, quietly backed by heavyweights including Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and LA Dodgers owner Mark Walter. From the start, its plan has been very different: instead of chasing high-end buyers with premium EVs, Slate is targeting budget-conscious drivers and working users with a straightforward, ultra-affordable truck.
The vehicle ships in a single spec — a two-door, two-seat electric pickup with manual windows, a basic heater, and steel wheels — but it’ll be supported by a marketplace of more than 100 accessories. Drivers can upgrade or transform their Slate over time, adding features when needed rather than paying upfront for extras they may never use.
Need an SUV later? The SUV Kit bolts on rear seats, extra airbags, and a roll cage. Want a sound system, extra lighting, or secure storage? It’s all there, designed for DIY fitting or professional installation.
Practical specs for work
The Slate pickup measures 4.43 metres long — about the same as a Nissan Qashqai and almost a metre shorter than a Ford Ranger. There’s a long wheelbase of 2.77 metres, and the truck rides on 17-inch steel wheels. Curb weight is a modest 1,633kg, thanks to the simplicity of the design.
A single 150kW (204hp) motor drives the rear wheels, and there are two battery options: a 52.7kWh pack for 150 miles of range (estimated to be around 180 miles under European WLTP measures), or an 84.3kWh pack extending that to around 240 miles (290 miles WLTP). Charging is available at rates of up to 120kW DC, getting from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes.
The Slate offers a payload capacity of 650kg and can tow up to 450kg. The cargo bed offers 994 litres of space and is long enough for standard 8×4 sheets of plywood — rare among compact pickups.
Up front, a 198-litre frunk provides secure storage for items like groceries, luggage, or even a giant ice bucket for tailgate parties, complete with a built-in drain.
Designed for daily life
Everything about the Slate is built around ownership simplicity. The body panels are plastic and only available in grey to keep costs down — if you scratch the body, you’ll barely be able to see it as the colour runs all the way through, and they’ll be cheap and easy to replace if necessary. If grey’s not for you, the panels are specifically designed to be wrapped, letting owners personalise the look themselves.
Inside, there’s no infotainment system. Instead, a universal mount and USB ports allow drivers to use their existing smartphone or tablet for navigation, music, and apps. You’ll need to bring your own Bluetooth speakers, too. Optional accessories include tablet holders, speaker mounts, and even a full-width soundbar integrated into the dash.
Slate’s view is that factory infotainment systems are expensive, become obsolete quickly, and are often a point of failure, so it’s leaving the choice (and cost) to the owner.
Despite the basic spec, the truck is engineered to meet 5-star US crash standards, with standard features including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and stability control.
Slate electric pickup pricing and availability
Slate expects its electric truck to cost under $20,000 (£15,000) after incentives. If it manages that, it’ll be a huge achievement in a market where even the cheapest pickups are typically north of $40,000 (£30,000).
Will it come to the UK? In short, no. Slate has no immediate plans for sales outside of the United States. That’s a shame because there’s clearly a gap in the UK market for a truly affordable, compact pickup. Something simple, flexible, and designed to work as hard as its owner, whether powered by petrol, diesel or electricity, would go down well here.
Slate’s launch shows that not every electric future has to be built around luxury and excess. If it’s a success, and others take inspiration from what Slate is doing, we might just see a few similar ideas making their way across the Atlantic.
- Mitsubishi L200 Commercial swaps rear seats for van tax treatment - 10 September 2026
- Volkswagen launches blacked-out Amarok Dark Label pickup - 9 September 2026
- Pickup market plunges to lowest level since Covid lockdown - 8 September 2026