Revamped Design of the Slate Auto Pickup Stands in stark contrast to the Tesla Cybertruck
The automotive industry is about to witness a game-changer with the upcoming Slate electric pickup truck from startup Slate Auto. With a no-nonsense design, unprecedented customizability, and an expected base price of under $27,500 (approximately £20,000), the Slate Truck could be the one that finally fulfills the potential of electric pickups.
Slate Auto's entry into the market comes at a time when Tesla's long-promised affordable electric pickup is still nowhere to be seen, potentially disrupting the status quo. The Slate Truck is a traditional-looking vehicle with almost infinite customizability, making it an appealing option for buyers who want a practical EV pickup without premium features and price.
Performance and Range -----------------------
The Slate Truck is equipped with a single rear-wheel-drive electric motor producing around 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in approximately 8 seconds, with a top speed of around 90 mph. The truck comes with two battery options: a standard 52.7 kWh battery pack offering about 150 miles of range, and an optional larger 84.3 kWh battery pack extending the range to about 240 miles.
Design and Features -------------------
The Slate truck is intentionally built very basic and minimalist to keep costs low. It features manual crank windows, HVAC controls, no radio, speakers, or infotainment system, steel wheels, and a two-seat configuration at launch. However, plans are in place to accommodate up to five seats via customization. Safety features include active emergency braking, forward collision warning, and up to eight airbags.
Customization Options ---------------------
The vehicle is sold as an unpainted "blank slate," encouraging owners to personalize with a wide array of flatpack accessories. These accessories can transform the truck into a larger five-seat SUV with different body shapes, such as boxy or fastback styles. Customers can also apply DIY-friendly vinyl wrap kits to customize the exterior appearance.
Charging ---------
The Slate Truck comes standard with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port and supports 120 kW Level 3 DC fast charging, allowing quicker recharge times for the battery.
Size and Utility ----------------
The Slate Truck is approximately 174.6 inches long, with a payload capacity of approximately 1,433 pounds. The bed length is about 5 feet, providing a volume of 35 cubic feet, and a front trunk ("frunk") of around 7 cubic feet.
In summary, the Slate Truck aims to be an affordable, no-frills electric pickup with a focus on simplicity, utility, and user customization. The price, range, and feature set position it as a unique entry in the growing small EV pickup segment. Amazon's Jeff Bezos, through his investment in Slate Auto, is backing this innovative project, adding to the anticipation surrounding its launch. Production of the Slate Truck is due to start next year, with a planned 2027 launch.
- Slate Auto, with Jeff Bezos' backing, is venturing into the automotive industry, aiming to disrupt the status quo with their innovative Slate Truck.
- The Slate Truck boasts a minimalist design, focusing on practicality and affordability, while still offering nearly infinite customization options.
- With its customizable flatpack accessories, the Slate Truck can be transformed into a variety of body styles, including boxy or fastback SUVs.
- The Slate Truck's design also includes essential safety features such as active emergency braking, forward collision warning, and up to eight airbags.
- The art of branding comes into play as Slate Auto encourages owners to personalize their trucks with DIY-friendly vinyl wrap kits.
- In the realm of technology, the Slate Truck supports 120 kW Level 3 DC fast charging for quicker recharge times.
- The Slate Truck's design echoes the principles of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI), offering a no-nonsense layout and minimalistic features.
- As a testament to its commitment to sustainable lifestyle choices, the Slate Truck joins the ranks of electric vehicles (EVs), contributing to the efforts to reduce carbon emissions, especially in the cars sector.
