Peter Lyon
September 20, 2025
So guys, have you heard of Slate Auto? Founded in 2022, Slate is a U.S. electric vehicle startup, located in Indiana, that is backed by investors including Jeff Bezos, Mark Walter and Thomas Tull.
With its first model unveiled in April this year, the new brand aims to shake up the EV market with a very stripped-down, affordable pickup truck that can also convert into an SUV. Here’s a fuller picture of the company: its launch, design philosophy, powertrain & charging, models, and pricing.
As of today, Slate is offering one core model—the Slate Truck that can optionally be converted into a five-seat SUV via accessory kits. To keep prices down, the brand does not have traditional trim levels as the idea is simplicity—to have one motor, two battery choices, and many customization options (accessories, body kits, roof styles, etc.).
Slate’s approach is “radically simple, radically affordable, radically personalizable,” says co-founder Jeff Wilke. The interior is minimal, boasting crank windows, no built-in infotainment system (instead, a phone mount), and basic physical controls. The body panels are injection-molded composite, reducing complexity, cost, and the need for heavy metal stamping or large paint shops. A single color is standard (gray molded into the composite body), with customization via wraps, add-ons, kits (e.g. roof, bed, SUV conversion).
Powertrains, Charging and Range
Slate uses a single electric motor mounted in the rear (rear-wheel drive only). No dual-motor / AWD option as of current disclosures.Motor output is about 150 kW, which is approximately 201 horsepower, and torque is ~195 lb-ft. It has two battery pack options, with a Standard battery pack of 52.7 kWh delivering a target range of up to 150 miles, or a Larger 84.3 kWh battery that gives you around 240 miles. The latter model sprints to 60mph in a little under 8 seconds with a top speed of 90 mpm.
As far as Charging capabilities go, the Slate Truck accesses DC fast charging up to 120 kW, via a NACS connector (Tesla’s standard, being adopted widely in U.S.). With this, going from 20% to 80% state of charge is possible in under 30 minutes.
Bursting onto the EV scene with surprisingly affordable pricing, the base model starts from a little under $20,000 after applying for the U.S. federal EV tax credit of $7,500. Obviously, without the credit, that model will cost around $27,500.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
Slate Auto is the new kid on the block and is seen as a rebel in the EV landscape. Rather than chasing ever-luxury, ever-high-tech, high-price features, it’s leaning into “what do people really need” when it comes to basic transport, especially for pickup-/SUV-type utility. The trade-offs are obvious — fewer amenities, simpler construction, fewer bells and whistles — but the upside is a much lower entry price and high customizability. Reviews are mixed, praising its ingenuity and potential to address the EV affordability crisis but cautioning that its spartan nature and limited features may not appeal to traditional American car buyers accustomed to tech and comfort.
