Slate emerges with customizable EV pickup available for under $20k [Video]

After about a month of speculation and subtle hints from industry insiders, American EV startup Slate has emerged from stealth to share its flagship model with the world. This simplified all-electric pickup arrives with over 100 accessories, a five-seat SUV configuration kit, and get this… crank windows. Even better, this no-nonsense pedigree of EV is priced refreshingly low, starting below $20,000 after US tax incentives.

As we pointed out last month, there was much more we didn’t know than we could confirm about a new EV brand called Slate. The American automaker was verified as an official business on LinkedIn as of March 5, giving us a sparse trail of breadcrumbs to follow to learn more.

According to the page, Slate had already established a team of 200 to 500 employees, and 46 additional open roles were listed. Some open jobs, such as plant manager and suspension engineer, hinted that Slate has been working on at least one EV.

Aside from promising “the next generation of innovation in the industry” (despite not confirming what industry), Slate’s website stated that we would learn more on April 24. We had heard rumblings that the Troy, Michigan-based startup was on the cusp of debuting a simple, all-electric pickup.

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However, that wasn’t confirmed until two days ago, when the first real-world images of the EV emerged ahead of Tesla’s earnings call. Our readers pointed out that “Slate” is an anagram of “Tesla,” which offers interesting fodder to the conspiracy theory scene at best.

While Slate’s name may be a tongue-in-cheek nod to reimagining an EV industry Tesla championed early on, the name seems more rooted in the fellow American company’s clean slate approach to EV design. From what we’ve now seen, Slate is breaking from the trend of other startups kicking off market entry with top-tier, luxe models starting in the $80-$100k range.

Instead, it has created a no-nonsense EV pickup that starts at a super low price, leaving the upgrades and customizations to the customer. Better still, if you US customers prefer a five-seat option, Slate also offers that. See below:

Slate debuts EV that can be 2-seat pickup or 5-seat SUV

Slate has officially arrived and, in my opinion, is a welcome breath of fresh air (because of no emissions, of course) to an American EV industry that is growing by the day, but has yet to reach critical mass in adoption.

Much of that struggle relates to pricing (not to mention lackluster local charging infrastructure). Most EVs are not affordable enough for the average consumer yet, and to get an electric pickup like Slate is now offering, for example, you have to opt for a model from Ford, GM, or Rivian that will cost at least $63,000 and will easily go up from there with added features like range.

Instead of coming out swinging against the big boys, Slate has dug itself a nice little niche in simplified affordable EVs that are modular and customizable. Slate’s first CEO, Chris Barman, elaborated:

The definition of what’s affordable is broken. Slate exists to put the power back in the hands of customers who have been ignored by the auto industry. It is a radical truck platform so customizable that it can transform from a 2-seat pickup to a 5-seat SUV.

Steel wheels, HVAC knobs, and crank windows – Slate is most certainly taking a clever approach to affordable US EVs for all. Designed to be “approachable and timeless,” the startup flagship model is truly a black slate canvas that puts the brush in the hands of its customers.

The company shared it will offer over 100 accessories, available a la carte or in a bundle, available from your initial order or years down the road. The dash also includes a universal phone mount with USB power, enabling you to use whatever smart device and OS you’d like. Have it custom wrapped by the Slate team or do it yourself, Slate is not only offering variety to customization, but also the process by which it is achieved.

Another example is Slate’s flat pack SUV Kit, which turns the EV pickup into a 5-seat SUV, complete with a roll cage, airbags, and rear seat. Again, you’ll have the choice to have Slate integrate it in Michigan or do it yourself, adding a bit of a DIY “gearhead” philosophy the EV segment has lacked since day one.

“But Scooter, what about specs?” Don’t worry my friends, we got you:

• Dimensions:
  • Length: 174.6 inches
  • Wheelbase: 108.9 inches
  • Width: (w/o mirrors): 70.6 inches
  • Height: 69.3 inches
  • Pickup Interior Volume: 55.0 ft³
  • SUV Interior Volume: 80.5 ft³
  • Frunk Cargo Volume: 7 ft³
  • Bed Cargo Volume: 37 ft³
  • SUV Cargo Volume (behind seats): 34 ft³
• Weights:
  • Curb Weight: 3602 lbs.
  • Max Payload: 1433 lbs.
  • Max towing: 1,000 lbs.
• Power and Battery:
  • Powertrain: Single motor, RWD
  • Battery: 52.7 kWh (standard) or 84.3 kWh (add-on)
  • Power: 150 kW (201 hp)
  • Torque: 264 Nm (195 lb-ft)
  • Acceleration (0-60 mph): 8 seconds (est.)
  • Top speed: 90 mph
• Charging and Range:
  • Onboard charger: 11 kW
  • Level 1 AC: 3.6kW / 20-100% in 11 hrs.
  • Level 2 AC: 11kW / 20-100% in under 5 hrs.
    Level 3 DC: 120kW / 20-80% in under 30 mins.
  • Charging Configuration: NACS
  • Standard Range (52.7 kWh) (est.): 150 miles
  • Large Pack Range ((84.3 kWh) (est.): 240 mi.
  • Combined city/highway (est.): 96 MPGe
• Bed Dimensions (Pickup):
  • Bed width (between wheel wells): 42.9 inches
  • Bed Width Min./Max.: 50.0 inches /54.9 inches
  • Bed Length: 60.0 inches
  • Bed Length (Tailgate Down): 81.6 inches

According to Slate, its flagship EV will be sold directly to consumers and is available to reserve now with a $50 deposit. The trucks will be built in the US and start at an MSRP below $20,000 (after federal tax incentives). No timeline on when production may begin, but a representative for Slate told Electrek that initial customer deliveries are… slated to begin in Q4 2026. Not too shabby.

While we await more details regarding this new American brand, here’s a better look at Slate’s first EV from a video it provided below: