- Back-to-basics Slate pick-up spied
- Slate Auto is US-based and backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos
- First electric truck costs just £15,000
- No plans to launch in UK... yet
Michigan-based Slate Auto, backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has unveiled a no-frills electric pick-up majoring on affordability and flexibility.
The Ford Ranger is 5.3 metres long, weighs about 2.2 tonnes, and costs north of £40,000.
Pick-ups are big, expensive and, for the most part, inefficient.
Priced from under $20,000 (around £15,000) after incentives, the Slate pick-up bucks the trend for luxury trucks, whether diesel or electric, and focuses instead on doing the basics well.
Back to basics
Founded with backing from big names like Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and LA Dodgers owner Mark Walter, Slate Auto is aiming squarely at cost-conscious buyers and working drivers.
Body panels are plastic, with the grey colour running all the way through to hide scratches. If owners want something a bit more individual, the panels are specifically designed to take vehicle wraps easily.
Rather than fitting every model with tech and features that drive prices sky-high, Slate has gone back to basics. The pick-up comes in a single, simple spec: two seats, two doors, steel wheels, manual windows, and a basic heater.
There’s no built-in infotainment system. Instead, drivers are encouraged to use their own smartphones or tablets via a universal mount and USB ports. Optional extras include mounts, speaker systems, and even a dash-wide soundbar.
But where Slate gets clever is its modular approach. More than 100 official accessories will be available from launch, allowing owners to customise their truck over time. Need more seating? There’s an SUV conversion kit with extra seats, airbags, and a roll cage. After a better sound system or extra lighting? Those are available, too, either for DIY fitting or professional installation.
Despite its minimalism, the pick-up meets US 5-star crash standards. Safety kit like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and stability control all come as standard.
Compact and capable
At 4.43 metres long, the Slate is roughly the size of a Nissan Qashqai and nearly a metre shorter than a Ford Ranger. It rides on a long 2.77-metre wheelbase and weighs in at just 1,633kg — light for any commercial vehicle, and especially so for an electric model.
Power from the 204hp motor goes to the rear wheels, with energy provided from either a 52.7kWh or 84.3kWh battery pack. They’re good for 150 or 240 miles of range, respectively, using US standards. Very roughly converted to European WLTP measures, that’s around 180 and 290 miles. DC fast-charging at up to 120kW is supported, meaning a 20% to 80% charge takes about half an hour.
The Slate pick-up offers a 650kg payload and can tow up to 450kg. The cargo bed provides a healthy 994 litres of load space to the cargo box lip, with Slate saying it’s sizeable enough for standard 8x4 sheets of plywood. There’s also a 198-litre ‘frunk’ for secure storage.
Slate's UK prospects
Slate is confident that the pick-up will launch with a price tag under $20,000 (£15,000) after US incentives. Sadly for UK buyers, Slate has no plans to sell the pick-up outside North America, which is unfortunate as there’s a clear gap in the market for a simple, affordable, compact pick-up.
Still, Slate’s bold approach shows that not every EV has to be big, heavy, and expensive. If the idea proves successful in the States, it could inspire other manufacturers to take a similar route on both sides of the Atlantic.
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