Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has entered the electric vehicle (EV) market by backing a bold new startup, Slate Auto. The company has unveiled its latest project: the Slate Truck, an electric pickup truck priced at $20,000 after federal incentives. This price point is seen as radical in an industry dominated by high-priced models. The truck’s design is minimalist, with no power windows, touchscreen displays, or complex dashboard features, which sets it apart from traditional EVs. Despite its no-frills design, the Slate Truck offers a range of customization options, allowing owners to transform it into a five-seat SUV with an add-on kit that includes rear seats, a roll cage, and airbags. This approach to vehicle customization is a key selling point for the truck.
The Slate Truck is a compact electric pickup, measuring 174.6 inches in length and featuring a 108.9-inch wheelbase. It has a five-foot bed that is slightly longer and wider than the Ford Maverick’s, offering 37 cubic feet of cargo space. The truck is powered by a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 8 seconds and has a top speed of near 90 mph. The truck comes with two battery options: a 52.7 kWh pack for an estimated range of 150 miles or an 84.3 kWh pack for up to 240 miles. Charging is flexible, with an onboard 11 kW AC charger and DC fast charging up to 120 kW through a NACS connector, allowing a 20% to 80% charge in about half an hour.
Slate Auto, founded in 2022, has secured significant funding, including $111 million from Bezos and Mark Walter, the controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The company aims to disrupt the EV market by making electric trucks more accessible to budget-conscious consumers. This is a stark contrast to an industry traditionally dominated by premium models. The production of the Slate Truck is set to begin in Warsaw, Indiana, at a repurposed paper facility. This unconventional approach to manufacturing is part of the company’s strategy to offer a practical and affordable EV. The truck is expected to challenge industry giants like Tesla and Ford, offering a fresh alternative to expensive electric trucks.
The customization features of the Slate Truck are one of its standout aspects. Starting as a two-seater, the truck can be transformed into a five-seat SUV with an add-on kit and a variety of accessories, including roof racks, cargo storage, all-terrain tires, and lift kits. The vehicle’s exterior can be wrapped in different colors and designs, allowing owners to personalize the look or even do it themselves with a DIY kit. This modular, build-it-your-way philosophy makes the Slate Truck feel like a rolling Lego set, appealing to both everyday drivers and enthusiasts who want a personalized EV experience. The vehicle’s features and pricing model represent a new approach to the EV market, seeking to provide an accessible and customizable alternative to existing expensive electric trucks.