Slate Reveals An Affordable Low-Tech Truck That Becomes A Funky SUV

It’s about time for a resurgence in truly affordable vehicles, and the new truck from the startup Slate wants to kick it off. The word “disruptive” has become a virtually meaningless buzzword. But if Slate can deliver what it promises – a simplified two-seater all-electric-powered truck for $20,000 (with federal incentives) with a range of 150 miles – then the word may regain meaning. Add to that the built-in design for easy upgrades and personalization, and Slate has our attention. Oh, and when it transforms into an SUV, it has vintage Bronco vibes.

Why The Slate Truck Is So Inexpensive

In a world of standard feature lists and options, the Slate Truck goes the other way. We’re talking crank winding windows (remember those?), steel wheels, and no big infotainment system. Instead, Slate has a universal phone mount and USB power, so your phone is the infotainment system, or you can add your own tablet if you want something bigger. It’s like Slate has been reading this writer’s work. So, no need for Slate to develop fancy software, fix bugs, and make updates.

Presumably, the mandatory rearview camera display will appear in the driver’s narrow screen.

“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. Slate is a radical truck platform so customizable that it can transform from a 2-seat pickup to a 5-seat SUV.”

– Slate CEO Chris Barman.

You don’t have to go super-basic, though. According to Slate, there are over 100 accessories available, individually or bundled, and they can be bought and added after purchase. There’s even a flat-pack accessory SUV Kit to turn the truck into a 5-seat SUV, complete with a roll cage, airbags, and rear seats. Slate assures us that it can be a do-it-yourself project or professionally installed. And, says that’s not the only way people will be able to change their trucks. The truck is even designed to be wrapped by owners or professionals with “three levels of wrap available.”

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Slate Truck Powertrain & Cargo

The Slate truck will ship with a 52.7 kWh battery pack and a single motor driving the rear wheels, and Slate says it will have 150 miles of range. An 84.3 kWh accessory battery pack extends range to (a target of) 240 miles. It uses the NACS charging port, so it will be easy to charge at home, while also being able to fast-charge to 80% at 120 kW in under 30 minutes.

As for safety, Slate says it’s invested and includes active emergency braking, forward collision warning, and up to 8 airbags. The rear cargo area can carry a 1,400-pound payload, and there’s a frunk for storing small stuff.

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Manufacturing & Price

Slate tells us the Slate Ruck will be manufactured in the U.S. at a reindustrialized factory. The $20,000 starting price is reflective of the current federal incentives, but the truck is currently in pre-production, so that could change. We have no arrival date as of publishing, but $50 refundable vehicle reservations are open now on the brand’s website. The plan is to be a direct-to-consumer automaker, so there will be no dealerships. Customers will order online and the truck will be delivered near to their home.

Quick Take: Disruption

We are long overdue for truly affordable cars, and the idea of Slate turning up and kickstarting a revolution is an attractive one. We don’t even think there’s a car on the market in the US with manual wind-up windows right now. Add the cost and the promise of a modular car, and the opportunity for modification and customization is huge.

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If we take our cynical old automotive journalist hat off, this could be huge. However, if we put the hat back on, and we remember a whole slew of electric truck startups that have made a lot of promises, then failed miserably and disappeared into the ether.