Review of the Slate Truck and Slate Auto
The Slate Truck is a radical reimagining of the pickup for the electric age, targeting buyers who want utility, simplicity, and sustainability at an accessible price. With a starting price under $20,000 after federal incentives, it is the most affordable EV pickup on the market, making electric vehicle ownership more attainable for a wider audience.
The Slate Truck is smaller than typical compact pickups, measuring just 175 inches in length. Its design is a nod to classic American pickups, with upright lines and a practical, two-seat cab.
The 5-foot bed is longer than those on rivals like the Ford Maverick, and a 7-cubic-foot front trunk adds to its utility.
The vehicle’s body panels are made from injection-molded polypropylene, not metal, allowing for a lighter footprint and easier recycling. It comes unpainted, reducing the environmental impact of paint shops and giving buyers the option to wrap the vehicle in their preferred color or finish.
The truck is highly modular, with over 100 accessories and kits available, including a conversion to a five-seat SUV. This modularity extends the vehicle’s lifespan and utility, reducing waste and encouraging repair and reuse over replacement.
The base model offers a 52.7 kWh battery for 150 miles of range, with an optional larger pack for up to 240 miles.
Payload capacity is a competitive 1,430 pounds, though towing is limited to 1,000 pounds-sufficient for light-duty needs.
The interior is intentionally analog: no touchscreen, no stereo, just practical controls and a universal phone mount. This reduces electronic waste and encourages user customization.
The Slate Truck’s minimalist build, lack of paint, and use of recyclable plastics all contribute to a lower lifecycle carbon footprint compared to conventional pickups.
Its small size and lighter weight further reduce energy consumption and resource use, addressing the problem of oversized, inefficient trucks dominating American roads.
By focusing on modularity and repairability, Slate encourages longer vehicle lifespans and less waste-key tenets of environmental stewardship.
Slate Auto is a young American EV startup with a mission to democratize electric vehicles and challenge the automotive industry’s norms.
Slate’s approach is radically simple: one model, one trim, one color, with all customization handled through accessories. This streamlines manufacturing, reduces waste, and lowers costs.
The company’s leadership, including CEO Chris Barman and CCO Jeremy Snyder (formerly of Tesla), emphasizes affordability, accessibility, and customer empowerment.
Manufacturing is based in Indiana, with most supply sourced domestically, supporting local economies and reducing transportation emissions.
By eliminating paint shops and metal stamping, Slate significantly reduces energy use, water consumption, and emissions in manufacturing.
The company’s design philosophy encourages users to keep and adapt their vehicles rather than replace them, aligning with circular economy principles.
Slate aims for cash flow positivity early in its production cycle, reducing reliance on external funding and allowing for sustainable, organic growth.
Slate Auto’s debut product directly addresses the issue of “truck bloat” in America, offering a right-sized, efficient alternative to oversized pickups.
If successful, Slate could set a new standard for sustainable, consumer-friendly vehicle design and manufacturing in the EV sector.
The Slate Truck and Slate Auto represent a bold, environmentally kind direction for the automotive industry. With its minimalist design, modularity, and focus on sustainability, the Slate Truck is a practical, affordable EV that challenges the status quo. Slate Auto’s manufacturing innovations and commitment to reducing environmental impact make it a standout among green startups. For consumers seeking a truly eco-friendly pickup-and a company that walks the talk-Slate is a name to watch.