Slate Automotive, a new American EV startup, has unveiled its first vehicle: a fundamentally minimal electric truck that can convert into a five-seat SUV. The “blank slate” was dubbed, EV made its debut this week, immediately not only for its versatility but also for its incredibly low price – under $ 20,000 after the federal tax incentive.
Unlike Tesla and Lucid, which was launched with a high -priced luxury model, wants to flip the slate model: cheap, scale up.
At its core, Slate truck There is a utilitarian, two -seat electric pickup designed for simplicity and strength. But the one who separates it is its transformative ability. Thanks to a modular accessory system, the truck can be upgraded over time – including a kit that adds a rear seat, roll cage, airbag and SUV body panel. This means that buyers can start with a minimal pickup and develop it into family-friendly SUVs-or through the growing network of service partners of themselves or slate.
The adaptation is central for slate’s vision. The owners will be able to choose from more than 100 goods in the launch, which will include vinyl wraps and Bluetooth-radio audio systems to large battery packs and off-road upgrade. The company encourages users a DIY approach by offering tools and tutorials through “Slate University” to empower users to modify and empower their own vehicles.
Powering the truck is a 52.7-kwh battery for a distance of 150 miles, or an alternative 84.3-KWH pack at a distance of 240 miles. Fast-charging capabilities and Tesla’s NACS port standard come. The vehicle is a rear-wheel-drive and defends around 200 horsepower-sufficient for urban commuting and light-duty halling.
The low price enables the strip-down approach to the manufacturing of the slate. There is no paint shop, no stamping, and only a trim level – everything is modular. The vehicle has steel wheels, crank windows and a rugged plastic body designed to take a beating and still looks good. It is rejection of technology-elastic, high-cost vehicles dominating today’s market.
Despite the minimum glasses, the slate is not skimp on safety. The truck has been engineered to complete the top crash test rating and is equipped with eight airbags, active emergency braking and further collision warnings.
Supporting this ambitious approach is important investor support – including Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos. Combined with a simplified production model, he slate to scale it once quickly after the production begins in 2026.
Reservation is now open for $ 50 Slate.AtoWith the expected delivery at the end of 2026. Whether American is ready for a snatch-down, size-shift EV remains to be seen, but the bets on the ability and adaptation of the slate can make it one of the most disruptive entries in the EV market till date.
