One of many major traders in a brand new, inexpensive EV truck firm known as Slate is Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Slate has raised a minimum of $111 million from traders, together with Bezos and Mark Wallers, the bulk proprietor of the LA Dodgers. TechCrunch first broke the information earlier this month, however you may’t conceal from Slate within the information currently.
Slate hails itself as a two-door electrical pickup that may rework into no matter you want it to be, “even an SUV.” The perfect half, supposedly, is that the worth will likely be beneath $20,000 after the $$7,500 EV tax credit score. That’s, in fact, if the tax credit score nonetheless exists in 2026 when the primary fashions will likely be delivered. In keeping with their web site, Slate is designed in California and Michigan, engineered in Michigan, and assembled within the Midwest “extra particularly.” Or extra vaguely, relying on the way you want to interpret it.
The truck has a 4-by-5 foot mattress, fabric seats, crank home windows, no Bluetooth, no audio system, and a 150-mile vary. Are you offered but? It’s a truck (or SUV), however it’s not all-wheel drive. For measurement comparability, the Slate nearly suits within the again seat of a Chevy Silverado pickup (no meeting required).
There’s an extended-range model that can get you 240 miles, however there’s no data on the price of that possibility. The 35.1 cubic foot cargo mattress is massive sufficient to haul “about 30 dachshunds.” How did Slate know we make vehicle buying choices primarily based on wiener canine carrying capability? Lastly, somebody will get it.
Let me let you know extra. If you need a distinct colour apart from the usual Slate Gray, you may order it wrapped (presumably for a worth), OR for “about $500,” Slate will do you a favor and ship you a wrap and directions so you may wrap your automobile at dwelling. SWEEET. I’ve at all times needed to be the proud proprietor of a model new automobile I’ve to color (or wrap) myself.
Your Slate will include “simple mounting” on your iPhone, or an “accent bracket” will maintain your iPad, however seemingly at a price. Does Slate let you know how briskly you’re touring? Unsure. I’m guessing there are legal guidelines for that, so most likely.
Slate says built-in infotainment methods elevate a automobile’s worth, turn into outdated shortly, and have excessive failure charges. Perhaps your Slate will include a paper map or, higher but, a globe. If you need a totally loaded automobile, it’s attainable. Slate says historically fully-loaded choices “will be bought individually as equipment in our market and will be put in at supply, later by a Slate service supplier, or DIY utilizing our Slate College video tutorials.” Superior, Slate will ship you to their faculty to show you the right way to construct your new truck(ish).
Is that this actual life? Is that this a goof or only a toy for the wealthy? You’ll be able to reserve your Slate right now for a refundable $50. Bezos needs to be guffawing whereas he eats his $27,500 lunch. It’s Bezos’ world; we’re simply residing in it.