Today, car dashboards are software hubs that manage everyday conveniences like climate control, navigation and entertainment. While these advanced features are attractive to many car buyers, they pose a long-term problem as software evolves faster than car hardware. While a car’s body and structure can last for decades, its infotainment systems can become outdated in a few short years.
Starting the car Slate Auto it addresses this lifecycle gap through intentional release, which can be a breath of fresh air for buyers. the size of car touchscreens today.
Meanwhile, Slate has confirmed a $24,950 starting price for the compact EV pickup before destination. The starting price was $24,950 It was accidentally discovered in mid-June 2026when someone appeared to comment on the public source code of the company’s website, the price’s name was kept confidential until then, Slate said.
With a bare-bones setup and a modest price to boot, the Slate holds its own against established legacy manufacturers. For example, Ford continues to develop competitive budget electric truck built on a new universal platform. This truck is targeting a release window about a year after the Slate, with an expected starting price close to $30,000. Being first to market with a lower MSRP gives the Slate an advantage when targeting price-conscious buyers in the current EV market.
- Main Trim Engine
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Electricity
- Main Trim Transmission
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Single speed Automatic
- Basic Trim transmission
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Rear wheel
Bring your own device dashboard
Bypassing factory software restrictions
The Slate replaces the traditional central 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 those found in most cars today, Slate drivers secure their smartphone or tablet in a cradle. The Slate companion app syncs with the vehicle’s powertrain via Bluetooth or a wired connection, displaying speed, battery charge status and cabin climate controls.
The Slate’s configuration offloads computing responsibilities from the car itself to consumer devices, a very different approach from the rest of the automotive industry today, where the majority of car functions reside in the infotainment system.
Quiz
Slate Auto Trivia Challenge
Test your knowledge
Think you know everything about Slate Auto’s stripped-down electric truck?
OriginDesignFeaturesAssessmentFeatures
Who is the main financial backer behind Slate Auto?
Correct! Jeff Bezos is the main investor backing Slate Auto. The company officially came out of stealth in 2025 with Bezos’ backing, positioning it as a serious contender in the affordable EV space.
Not quite – the answer is Jeff Bezos. Although Elon Musk was associated with Tesla, it was Bezos who threw his financial weight behind Slate Auto when the startup went undercover in 2025.
What is the defining design philosophy of the Slate Auto truck?
Correct! Slate Auto’s truck is intentionally minimalist and bare-bones, a hauler that lacks many of the 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 lists the key parts of the truck and allows buyers to customize it. This ‘blank slate’ approach is central to the brand’s identity and how it targets a lower price point.
What is Slate Auto’s estimated starting price for the electric truck?
Correct! Slate Auto has targeted a starting price under $20,000, which would make it one of the most affordable electric cars ever sold in the US — a major disruption in the EV market.
Not quite—Slate Auto is aiming for under $20,000. That price point makes the truck so talked about because truly affordable EVs have been out of reach in the American market for years.
What is missing as a standard feature on a Slate Auto truck that surprises many consumers?
Correct! The Slate truck ships without an onboard touchscreen infotainment system. Instead, there’s a mount designed for your smartphone, keeping costs down and putting control in the hands of the buyer.
Not that, the notable omission is the built-in touchscreen infotainment system. Slate Auto replaces it with a smartphone device, taking a bring-your-own-device approach that significantly reduces manufacturing costs.
What body style does the Slate Auto come in?
Correct! Slate Auto’s debut vehicle is a compact two-seater truck. The minimalist cabin is aimed at buyers who prioritize function over frills, focusing more on utility and affordability than passenger capacity.
Not quite – Slate Auto’s first vehicle is a two-seater pickup. A compact, no-frills design is key to keeping costs low and giving the truck a wide potential of use for everyday buyers.
How does Slate Auto allow buyers to customize their trucks after purchase?
Correct! Slate Auto embraces an accessory and kit-based customization model that allows 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 as customizing your truck over time. This approach keeps the base price low while allowing owners to make the car their own.
In what year did Slate Auto come out of stealth mode publicly?
Correct! Slate Auto came out of stealth in 2025, announcing the truck and generating significant buzz for its ultra-low price target and minimalist design philosophy at a time when EV prices remain stubbornly high.
Not quite — Slate Auto has been stealthily revealed in 2025. The timing was notable because the broader EV industry was still struggling to drive car prices down to affordable levels for average American buyers.
What color is the Slate Auto truck as a standard base option?
Correct! The Slate truck ships with an unpainted gray primer as standard. It’s another decision aimed at keeping costs down and personalizing — buyers can paint it themselves or add wraps and panels if they choose.
Not quite – the base Slate truck comes with an unpainted gray liner. Instead of paying for a factory paint job, buyers are encouraged to finish the truck themselves, which fits perfectly with the brand’s DIY customization ethos.
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The logic here is that since consumers are upgrading their mobile devices at a faster rate than they are replacing vehicles, the latest technology can always move into the cabin with them. Slate owners aren’t limited to a traditional infotainment system that can get old after a few years, especially if it includes factory navigation.
For example, apps like Google Maps receive continuous weather updates that reflect new traffic patterns, construction zones, and road changes in real time. By moving the processing load to personal devices, there is a degree of freedom to upgrade that traditional car manufacturers cannot easily provide.
In other words, Slate owners have more control over the cabin technology over the life of the truck.
Mechanical capabilities to get back to basics
Power meters 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 zero to 60 mph in about eight seconds and a top speed of close to 90 mph.
The standard 65 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack is rated for an estimated 205 miles of range. Fast charging has a power of 120 kW, enough to take the battery from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes.
In its base configuration, the Slate truck has a curb weight of 3,602 pounds, a payload capacity of 1,550 pounds, and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds. Other standard features include traction control, keyless entry, front and side airbags and a backup camera.
Every Slate comes from the factory as a two-seat pickup, but from there, owners can add the Squareback SUV package, the sportier Fastback package, the Open Air package that lowers the hardtop and rear windows, or the Cargo package that turns the bed into an enclosed, van-like storage. SUV-style conversion packages expand passenger seating from two to five and sell for a total price of $29,950. Slate also reported that buyers will be able to order the truck without doors.
How reservations and pre-orders work
Pre-orders are open Via the Slate website Wednesday, June 24, 2026. The 180,000 pre-order holders will now receive priority delivery as they can convert their early bird interest into official pre-orders.
Current reservation holders can apply the initial application fee to the final deposit, while new buyers can secure a spot against the standard deposit. Initial vehicle deliveries are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.
