If you’re dreaming of owning an electric truck but don’t want to spend a fortune, the upcoming Slate Truck might catch your eye. Slate, a new automaker, is banking big on the federal EV tax credit. Thanks to that $7500 bonus, you could drive home a brand-new Slate Truck for just under $20,000. Even without the credit, the starting price is a not-too-bad $27,500.
A Quick Backstory
Slate started as a project inside Re:Build, a company created by ex-Amazon big shot Jeff Wilke and business investor Miles Arnone. They got serious in 2023, raising over $111 million from investors—including (reportedly) Jeff Bezos himself.
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What Makes the Slate Truck Different?
The Slate Truck is all about keeping it simple and affordable. That means no extra fluff. You’ll get basics like a digital gauge cluster (which also acts as your rearview camera screen), power locks, cruise control, and some important safety tech like automated emergency braking.
But don’t expect a fancy stereo, automatic windows, or high-end gadgets. In fact, the windows roll down manually, and the rearview mirrors adjust by hand too. No built-in speakers either — Slate figures you’ll just use your phone or tablet for music. (They’ll sell you speaker kits if you really want them.)
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Build It Your Way with Accessories
Slate’s big idea is that you can customize your truck however you want through access ories. They’re planning over 100 add-ons
- Power windows
- Lift kits or lowering kits
- An SUV conversion kit (yes, you can basically turn it into an SUV!)
- Fancy alloy wheels and vinyl wraps to jazz up the look
You can install most accessories yourself, but if you’re more into the “you do it for me” vibe, there’ll be certified service centers to help.
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What’s Under the Hood?
Every Slate Truck will come pretty much the same, except for one big choice: the battery. You get a standard 47-kWh pack or you can upgrade to a 75-kWh version (for a higher price, of course).
The upgraded battery should get you about 240 miles of range, and both versions can charge pretty fast—up to 120 kW speeds.
The Slate Truck is powered by a single rear motor putting out 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. It’s not a race car, but it should hit 0-60 mph in about 8 seconds. Not bad for a work truck!
Small but Mighty
The Slate Truck is compact, measuring just 174.6 inches long — actually a bit shorter than a Subaru Crosstrek. It seats two people, has a 5-foot bed, and a 7-cubic-foot front trunk (“frunk”).
Payload capacity? 1433 pounds — pretty close to the Ford Maverick’s best numbers. Towing capacity is lighter at 1000 pounds, but hey, it’s not trying to be a heavy-duty hauler.
Oh, and by the way, all trucks come in unpainted gray composite panels. If you want color, you’ll need to spring for a vinyl wrap.
Is It Worth It?
Honestly? Without the federal tax credit, the Slate Truck might feel a little too basic for the price. If you just want an affordable electric car, there are more comfortable options out there. And if you want a pickup, you might lean toward something like the Ford Maverick (which starts a bit higher but offers more out of the box).
With the tax credit, though? The Slate becomes super interesting. After federal and maybe even state incentives, some folks could grab one for around $16,500. That’s cheaper than almost anything else new today — even some gas-powered cars!
Bottom line:
The Slate Truck isn’t fancy, but it’s super customizable, pretty capable, and crazy affordable (especially after tax credits). If you love a good DIY project or just want a cheap electric work truck, it might be worth keeping an eye on this one when deliveries start in late 2026.