AUTO

Slate Auto’s Radically Affordable Slate EV Truck and SUV Platform Shocks the Auto Industry

April 25, 2025

The Slate Auto EV Truck will cost under $20,000 after federal incentives, offering an affordable EV option with practical features.
It is customizable into a 5-seat SUV using an optional DIY kit, transforming it from a pickup to an SUV with add-ons like a roll cage and airbags.
Slate Auto is committed to American manufacturing, building their trucks in a reindustrialized U.S. factory.

You ever hear something so crazy you have to double-check you’re not getting punked? Yeah. That is exactly how people are reacting to Slate Auto.

A brand-new American company, Slate Auto, decided they had enough of the nonsense. CEO Chris Barman bluntly stated, “The definition of what’s affordable is broken.” And honestly, he is not wrong. When the average new vehicle price in the U.S. is north of $48,000, according to Kelley Blue Book, something had to give. Slate’s answer to that was to build a no-frills electric truck for under $20,000 after incentives, and hand the keys, literally and figuratively, back to drivers.

Slate Auto EV Truck in blank slate trim.

You will not find a million-button touchscreen to fumble with. Forget overpriced trim packages filled with junk you never wanted. And you definitely will not see political lectures polished under layers of chrome. Instead, you get a straightforward two-seat electric pickup truck, built with crank windows, steel wheels, and enough cargo space to haul your Costco run, along with your dignity.

It is called the Slate EV Truck. And it is… refreshing. Like ice water dumped on your head at a fancy party, kind of refreshing.

Slate Auto EV Truck in garage with Tesla NACS charger plugged in

You get a steel-bodied, rear-wheel-drive electric pickup with a 52.7-kWh battery good for around 150 miles of range. And if you need more juice, Slate has an accessory 84.3-kWh pack that bumps you up to about 240 miles. You can charge it overnight on a household outlet or fast-charge to 80% in under 30 minutes using a 120-kW DC fast charger. The Slate EV Truck even uses the NACS port, the same plug Tesla uses, because duh, why make life harder?

Slate Auto took a smart turn with the Slate EV Truck by making it modular. With a simple kit, you can turn the 2-seat pickup into a full 5-seat SUV. Add a rear seat, install airbags, bolt on a roll cage, and it all comes together with the kind of straightforward assembly that feels more like building with giant Lego bricks than working on a car. You can do it yourself or have a service center handle it. The decision is yours. So is the savings. So is the freedom to build exactly what you need.

Want a camo wrap on your Slate Truck next month? No problem. Want it bright pink for your daughter’s birthday party? You can do that too. Wrapping a Slate Truck is designed to be a simple weekend project, with kits starting around $500. When you are ready for a new look, just peel it off and swap in a fresh one. The Blank Slate lives up to its name, giving you the freedom to change it whenever you feel like it.

You can custom wrap and personalize your Slate Auto EV Truck.

Custom "Flower Truck" wrapped and designed Slate Auto EV Truck.

Auto analysts are already paying attention to how Slate Auto is shaking things up. As MotorTrend pointed out, “Instead of filling its Truck with options and packages, Slate is developing an extensive personalization ecosystem so customers can equip their vehicle exactly how they like.” When was the last time a car company handed you the basics and trusted you to decide what you actually needed, without forcing overpriced extras down your throat?

On the performance-front, the Slate EV Truck runs with a 150 kW motor and rear-wheel drive. It targets a payload capacity of around 1,400 pounds and can tow close to 1,000 pounds. Will it haul a yacht? No. Will it handle your lawnmower, dirt bikes, furniture, and a full Costco run without breaking a sweat? Absolutely. And honestly, that covers what most people actually need from a truck.

Slate Auto quietly dropped a truth bomb wrapped in steel and DIY freedom.

Chris Barman said it best, “Slate exists to put the power back in the hands of customers who have been ignored by the auto industry.” And you can feel it in every decision they made. No extra software subscriptions. No sneaky fees. Transparent pricing. Accessories you can add when you want, not because some dealership sales guy pressures you into it.

And the best part is Slate Auto will build their trucks right here in America, inside a reindustrialized factory that brings real manufacturing jobs back to life. Real wages for real people. The kind of work that built this country long before everyone got caught up chasing Instagram likes and viral fame.

Reservations are open now for $50. Fully refundable. No fine print nonsense. Visit slate.auto to grab your spot.

Slate Auto EV SUV in white driving on a bridge.

Slate Auto EV Truck with panels of wood loaded in truck's bed.

But… let us slow down for a second. Should you be skeptical? Absolutely. Being cautious is smart, especially today. Slate’s trucks are still in preproduction, and some specifications or pricing could change slightly. But even with a few small adjustments, the value stays remarkable. Think about it. When was the last time you could buy a vehicle for under $20,000 that offered eight airbags, active emergency braking, forward collision warning, and a frunk large enough to fit two carry-on suitcases?

Sure, you could hunt down a used electric car for that price, maybe one with stained seats, questionable smells, and half the safety features. Or you could start fresh. Your call.

EV skeptics often say, “They cost too much, they take too long to charge, and they cannot go far enough.” Cool story, but none of that sticks here. Slate targets 150-240 miles of range, depending on the battery, charges on a normal plug if needed, and starts at a price that undercuts most gas cars. And fun fact, the average American drives only 37 miles per day, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Do the math.

The Slate EV Truck is not a political statement. Forget TikTok trends that come and go. This is not some flashy virtue signal parked outside a Whole Foods. Built in America, the Slate EV Truck is simple, affordable, and runs on electricity without making a scene about it. Customizable to fit your needs, smart where it counts, and honest from top to bottom.

This brings the focus back to you. You deserve control over your wallet, your choices, and your way of life. Practicality should never mean giving up your pride. The deal you choose should make sense to you, not just look pretty in some glossy brochure designed to sell you something you do not need.

Slate Auto heard you. Loud and clear.

So, are you ready to blank your Slate?