Michigan-based EV startup Slate Auto, backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has revealed its first vehicle: a $25,000 electric pickup designed for affordability and deep customization.
Unveiled Thursday night at a launch event in Long Beach, California, the no-frills Slate Truck features a 52.7 kWh battery with an estimated range of 150 miles and a 201-horsepower motor driving the rear wheels.
Buyers can upgrade to an 84.3 kWh battery offering up to 240 miles of range. Deliveries are expected to begin in late 2026.
Targeted at cost-conscious and DIY-savvy consumers, the base model comes with steel wheels, crank windows, and no radio or power features.
Customers can add upgrades from a catalog of over 100 accessories, including vinyl wraps, power windows, and a $5,000 SUV conversion kit.
“All trucks come in one slate-gray color and base form,” said Slate CEO Chris Barman, a former Fiat-Chrysler executive. “This allows us to cut complexity and reduce costs dramatically.”
Slate aims to appeal to younger and working-class buyers who value personalization.
The vehicles are designed to be easily modified by owners or installed at local service centers.
Founded by ex-Amazon executives Jeff Wilke and Miles Arnone, Slate seeks to avoid high startup losses with a lean manufacturing model based in the US.
The company says its composite body panels and absence of a paint shop reduce capital costs by up to $500 million.
Unlike rivals Tesla and Rivian, whose pickups start near $70,000, Slate intends to offer the most affordable new EV and pickup truck on the US market.
A refundable $50 deposit secures a reservation.
Company officials emphasized a maker ethos: “We’re giving customers a blank slate to build their dream truck,” said Slate’s Chief Commercial Officer Jeremy Snyder.
