Vehicle dashboards today are essentially software hubs that manage everyday comforts like climate control, navigation, and entertainment.These advanced features, while attractive to many car buyers, pose a long-term challenge because software evolves much faster than automotive hardware.While a vehicle’s body and structure may last for decades, its infotainment systems can become obsolete within a few short years.
Automotive startup Slate Auto is addressing this lifecycle gap through intentional omission, which might be a breath of fresh air for buyers who feel overwhelmed by the size of vehicle touchscreens today.Meanwhile, Slate has confirmed a $24,950 starting price before destination for its compact EV pickup.The $24,950 starting price was revealed unintentionally in mid-June 2026, when someone appeared to have left a comment in the public source code of the company's website, naming the price Slate had been calling confidential up until that point.
By launching with a bare-bones setup and a modest price, Slate positions itself below established legacy manufacturers.For example, Ford continues to develop a competing budget electric truck built upon a new universal platform.That truck targets a release window roughly one year after Slate, with an expected starting price near $30,000.
Getting to market first at a lower MSRP gives Slate an advantage when targeting buyers who feel priced out of the current electric-vehicle market.Like Slate Auto Truck Truck Base: $24,950 Base Trim Engine Electric Base Trim Transmission Single-speed Automatic Base Trim Drivetrain Rear-Wheel Drive Powered by Expand Collapse Bring your own device dashboard Bypassing factory software constraints Slate replaces the traditional center touchscreen with an open dashboard.The center console features an adjustable, spring-loaded mounting dock, a USB-C port, and an open-source OBD-II data connection.
Instead of navigating a standard infotainment interface like the ones found in most vehicles today, Slate drivers secure their own smartphone or tablet in the cradle.A Slate companion app syncs with the vehicle’s powertrain via Bluetooth or a wired connection, displaying speed, battery state of charge, and cabin climate controls.Slate’s configuration offloads computing responsibilities from the vehicle itself onto consumer devices, a very different approach from the rest of the automotive industry, where most vehicle functions today are housed within the infotainment system.
Quiz 8 Questions · Test Your Knowledge Slate Auto Trivia ChallengePut your knowledge to the test Think you know everything about Slate Auto's stripped-down electric truck? OriginsDesignFeaturesPricingSpecs Begin 01 / 8 Origins Who is the primary financial backer behind Slate Auto? AElon MuskBJeff BezosCMark ZuckerbergDBill Gates Correct! Jeff Bezos is the key investor backing Slate Auto.The company officially emerged from stealth in 2025 with Bezos's support, positioning it as a serious challenger in the affordable EV space. Not quite — the answer is Jeff Bezos.While Elon Musk is associated with Tesla, it was Bezos who put his financial weight behind Slate Auto when the startup came out of stealth in 2025. Continue 02 / 8 Design What is the defining design philosophy of the Slate Auto truck? ALuxury-focused with premium materials throughoutBIntentionally bare-bones and highly customizableCFuturistic aerodynamic styling inspired by spacecraftDRetro styling inspired by classic American trucks Correct! Slate Auto's truck is intentionally minimalist and bare-bones, shipping without many features considered standard today.
The idea is that buyers can customize and add features themselves, keeping the base price low. Not quite.Slate Auto deliberately strips the truck down to essentials and lets buyers customize it.This 'blank slate' approach is central to the brand's identity and is how it targets a lower price point. Continue 03 / 8 Pricing What is the approximate starting price Slate Auto has targeted for its electric truck? AAround $50,000BAround $70,000CUnder $20,000DAround $35,000 Correct! Slate Auto has targeted a starting price under $20,000, which would make it one of the most affordable electric vehicles ever sold in the United States — a major disruption to the EV market. Not quite — Slate Auto is aiming for under $20,000.
That price point is what makes the truck so talked about, as truly affordable EVs have remained elusive in the American market for years. Continue 04 / 8 Features What does the Slate Auto truck notably lack as a standard feature, surprising many consumers? AHeadlightsBA touchscreen infotainment systemCSide mirrorsDA steering wheel Correct! The Slate truck ships without a built-in touchscreen infotainment system.Instead, it has a mount designed for your smartphone, keeping costs down and putting control in the hands of the buyer. That's not it — the notable omission is a built-in touchscreen infotainment system.Slate Auto replaces it with a smartphone mount, embracing a bring-your-own-device approach that significantly reduces manufacturing costs. Continue 05 / 8 Specs What body style does the Slate Auto vehicle launch as? AA two-door SUVBA four-door sedanCA two-seat pickup truckDA compact cargo van Correct! Slate Auto's debut vehicle is a compact two-seat pickup truck. The minimalist cab focuses on utility and affordability rather than passenger capacity, targeting buyers who prioritize function over frills. Not quite — Slate Auto's first vehicle is a two-seat pickup truck.
The compact, no-frills design is core to keeping costs low and giving the truck a wide range of potential uses for everyday buyers. Continue 06 / 8 Features How does Slate Auto allow buyers to personalize their truck after purchase? AThrough a dedicated dealership upgrade program onlyBVia a catalog of official and third-party add-on kitsCPersonalization is not supported at allDOnly through Slate Auto's proprietary software updates Correct! Slate Auto embraces an accessory and kit-based customization model, allowing owners to add features, panels, and upgrades over time.This modular approach is a key part of the brand's 'blank slate' identity. Not quite.Slate Auto supports customization through a catalog of add-on kits — think of it like building out your truck over time.
This approach keeps the base price low while still letting owners make the vehicle their own. Continue 07 / 8 Origins In what year did Slate Auto publicly emerge from stealth mode? A2021B2023C2022D2025 Correct! Slate Auto came out of stealth in 2025, announcing its truck and generating significant buzz for its ultra-low price target and minimalist design philosophy at a time when EV prices remained stubbornly high. Not quite — Slate Auto emerged from stealth in 2025.The timing was notable because the broader EV industry was still struggling to bring vehicle prices down to levels accessible for average American buyers. Continue 08 / 8 Specs What color does the Slate Auto truck come in as its standard base option? AGloss blackBUnpainted gray primerCBright whiteDDark navy blue Correct! The Slate truck ships in an unpainted gray primer finish by default.This is another cost-cutting and customization-forward decision — buyers can paint it themselves or add wraps and panels however they choose. Not quite — the base Slate truck comes in unpainted gray primer.
Rather than paying for a factory paint job, buyers are encouraged to finish the truck themselves, which aligns perfectly with the brand's DIY customization ethos. See My Score Challenge Complete Your Score / 8 Thanks for playing! Try Again The logic here is that because consumers upgrade their mobile devices at a faster rate than they replace their vehicles, the latest tech can always transition into the cabin with them.Slate owners are not limited by a traditional infotainment system that can become outdated after a few years, especially if it includes factory navigation.Apps like Google Maps, for example, receive continuous over-the-air updates that reflect new traffic patterns, construction zones, and road changes in real time.
By shifting the processing burden to personal devices, there is a degree of upgrade freedom that traditional auto manufacturers can’t provide as easily.In other words, Slate owners have more control over their cabin technology throughout the truck's life.Back-to-basics mechanical capabilities Power metrics and modular add-on kits Under the skin of the Slate truck, a single rear-mounted motor produces 181 horsepower and 195 lb-ft.
of torque, enough for a zero-to-60 mph time around eight seconds and a top speed near 90 mph.The standard 65-kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack is rated for an estimated 205 miles of range.Fast charging tops out at 120 kW, enough to take the battery from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes.
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In its base configuration, the Slate truck has a curb weight of 3,602 lbs., a payload capacity of 1,550 lbs., and a towing capacity of 2,000 lbs.Other standard features include traction control, keyless entry, front and side airbags, and a backup camera.Every Slate leaves the factory as a two-seat pickup, but from there, owners can add a Squareback SUV Kit, a sportier Fastback Kit, an Open Air Kit that drops the hardtop and rear windows, or a Cargo Kit that turns the bed into covered, van-like storage.
The SUV-style conversion packages expand passenger seating from two to five and launch at a total price of $29,950.Slate has also said buyers will be able to order the truck without doors.Related Slate raises $650 million to bring its affordable electric truck to production Jeff Bezos-backed Slate is launching at a grim time for EVs.
Posts 1 By Jon Fingas How reservations and preorders work Preorders are open through Slate's website as of Wednesday, June 24th, 2026.The previous 180,000 reservation holders will receive priority delivery as they can now convert their early interest into formal preorders.Current reservation holders can apply their initial application fee toward the final deposit, while new buyers can secure a spot in line with a standard deposit.
Initial vehicle deliveries are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.
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