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Slate’s $24,950 EV Truck
Slate Auto began taking $300 preorders for its base $24,950 electric pickup, positioning the “blank slate” truck as a low-cost alternative as deliveries are expected in late 2026.
“LOS ANGELES—Slate Auto has pulled a Disneyland”
The truck’s standard battery now estimates 205 miles of rear-driven range, and Slate says the powertrain is rated at 181 horsepower and 135 kW, with a claimed 0-60 speed of 8 seconds.
MotorWeek reported the price is official at $24,950 for the entry-level pickup, noting it is “without a “to be determined” destination charge,” and it described a standard 63 kWh usable energy battery.
The Verge said Slate’s pickup starts at $24,950 and is “the least expensive pickup truck and EV available today,” while also emphasizing that the truck doesn’t come with a touchscreen, stereo, or even speakers.
Range, Tow, and Reservations
Slate’s range and charging details are central to the pitch: MotorWeek said the truck uses a standard NACS interface and that DC fast charging completes 20%-80% topoffs in approximately half an hour.
The towing and payload numbers are also part of the debate, with CBS News saying the truck’s towing capacity is 1,000 pounds, while HotCars put the towing capacity at 2,000-lb and framed it as a key compromise.
Edmunds’ Ivan Drury told CBS News that the “driving range is relatively short, at 205 miles,” and he said the “real question is whether the enticing price alone can overcome that.”
Outside Magazine described the truck’s design as stripped down, saying “There is no touchscreen,” and it added that the range is up 37 percent over what was initially announced to an estimated 205 miles.
Manufacturing, Warranty, and Risk
Slate’s rollout is tied to production and service plans, with WANE 15 saying the trucks will be made in Warsaw at the former R.R. Donnelly printing plant on West Old Road 30 just west of downtown Warsaw and that it is expected to employ 2,000 people once up and fully running.
“Slate has finally put a price on its tiny electric truck”
WANE 15 also said buyers can claim a delivery window with a $300 non-refundable deposit, and it described “Slate University” as an online series of instructional videos for owners.
Car and Driver reported that Slate claims a 10-year, 110,000-mile battery warranty and said the truck will start delivering in the fourth quarter of this year, while also stating that Slate’s reservations currently stand at 180,000.
In a separate take on execution risk, Los Angeles Times quoted analyst Jesse Toprak saying, “I think the execution risk is enormous,” even as it noted Slate Chief Executive Peter Faricy said, “It started with design, then engineering, and eventually manufacturing.”
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