Yes, Slate Auto is building a real electric pickup with crank windows and no center infotainment touchscreen. No, it is not currently a $20,000 truck. The current 2027 Slate Truck starts at $24,950, and the $1,450 destination charge brings the minimum advertised price to $26,400 before taxes, title, registration, documentation fees, options, and any delivery-to-door charge.
Slate says first customer deliveries should begin in late 2026. Until then, this remains a production-intent vehicle from a heavily funded but unproven automaker. Its projected 205-mile range is not an official EPA rating, and its hoped-for five-star safety score has not yet been awarded.
Current as of August 9, 2026. Prices, equipment, delivery timing, specifications, incentives, and service availability can change before customer vehicles arrive.
What is Slate Auto?
Slate Auto is a U.S. electric-vehicle startup established in 2022. The company operated largely in stealth before revealing its pickup on April 24, 2025. Its product is now called the 2027 Slate Truck; the deliberately sparse base version is marketed as the Blank Slate.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Mini Portable Media player】-- Fits into the palm of your hand, It is a perfect travel partner for those short on space and sockets. Also compact and easy multifunction HD media player for office work and home entertainment;Aluminum alloy material, not easy to damage during carrying
- 【1080P MP4 Player】-- Full HD 1080p@60Hz supports most video decoding formats: RM, RMVB, AVI, DIVX, MKV, MOV, HD MOV, MP4, M4V, PMP, AVC, FLV, VOB, MPG, DAT, MPEG, TS, TP, M2TS, WMV, (H.264,H.263,WMV9/VC-1,MPEG1/2/4),Not support VPR files. Note: Please use our 4K player to play some videos taken with smart phones, ASIN: B07WPY8VKL
- 【HDMI or AV Output】-- Supports 1080p HDMI output, allowing you to transmit crisp, clear video and audio in a pure digital format to an HDTV; it also supports composite AV output for use with analog TVs. An analog AV cable is included. While using HDMI video output, you can also connect external speakers via the AV output. However, video cannot be output via both AV and HDMI at the same time.
- 【USB 2.0/3.0 Compability】-- Drive external USB 2.0/3.0 storage devices such as USB flash(up to 512G)/SD card(up to 128G) and hard drive(partition should be MBR, up to 8TB), you can also delete or copy files in the USB drive(FAT or FA32) directly, Also plays subtitle files as well as loop videos
- 【Support Multiple Formats of Files and Playback Modes&Multi-functional Remote Control】-- Supports most video, audio, and image formats on the market, supports random playback of video and image modes, and supports loop playback. Supports repeat, zoom, fast forward, fast rewind, rotation, breakpoint playback method, start from scratch playback method and time selection playback method. It is also equipped with a convenient remote control for easy navigation of menu screens (ASIN: B0C9PZPFL8)
Slate’s idea is different from the normal automotive business model. Rather than building several increasingly expensive trim levels loaded with equipment, it plans to sell one simple base vehicle and let customers personalize it through an accessory marketplace. Buyers can add features at purchase, later through a service partner, or themselves using Slate’s Slate U service and how-to resources.
The business model combines:
- A standardized rear-wheel-drive electric vehicle.
- Lower factory content, including manual windows and no built-in stereo in the base truck.
- Direct-to-consumer sales.
- More than 200 planned accessories, according to Slate.
- Modular body conversions that can turn the two-seat pickup into a five-seat SUV-style vehicle or another cargo configuration.
- Independent repair and installation support through RepairPal shops.
Slate is backed by Jeff Bezos’s family office and other investors. In April 2026, the company announced a $650 million Series C funding round. TechCrunch reported that Slate had raised approximately $1.4 billion in total by that point. That gives the startup meaningful financial backing, but funding is not the same as proven production, service capacity, reliability, or delivery performance.
Slate said in June that it had received 180,000 reservations. Those reservations should not be treated as 180,000 paid, binding vehicle orders: reservations and preorders have different deposits and commitments.
The $20,000 price is obsolete
The viral headline came from Slate’s April 2025 announcement, which projected a price of under $20,000 after federal incentives. That was never the truck’s sticker price. It depended on a federal new-vehicle clean-energy credit that was later terminated for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025.
Slate’s current price is $24,950 for the base Blank Slate pickup. Its FAQ lists a $1,450 destination charge, making the minimum advertised price $26,400 before government charges and options.
| Cost item | Amount or status |
|---|---|
| Base Blank Slate pickup | $24,950 |
| Destination charge | $1,450 |
| Base price plus destination | $26,400 |
| Taxes, title, and registration | Varies by state and buyer |
| Documentation and other dealer or delivery charges | Varies |
| Accessories and installation | Optional; varies by configuration |
| Federal new-vehicle credit | Not available for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025 |
The IRS’s clean-vehicle credit information and 2025 Form 8936 instructions are the relevant references for the federal cutoff. State and local incentives may still exist, but they vary by location, eligibility, and delivery date. A buyer should not assume that any incentive will restore the old $20,000 calculation.
Three realistic ways to think about the price
- Bare pickup: $24,950 plus $1,450 destination, then taxes, title, registration, documentation fees, and any other required charges.
- Useful daily driver: the base truck plus whatever phone or tablet mount, speakers, storage, charging equipment, wrap, comfort items, or other accessories the buyer considers necessary. Slate says more than 80% of its accessories are priced below $500, but several modest additions can still move the final price substantially higher.
- SUV-style configuration: the Squareback starts at $29,950 before destination, taxes, and additional equipment. The Fastback costs more, and installation or delivery charges may apply.
There is no reliable final price for a fully equipped Slate because the accessory catalog, labor charges, and configuration choices can change. The important point is that $24,950 is a starting price for an intentionally incomplete vehicle, not an out-the-door price for a fully furnished electric truck.
What comes with the base Blank Slate?
The base vehicle is intentionally sparse but not unsafe or unusable. Current published equipment includes:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
- A two-door pickup body with two seats.
- Slate Gray composite exterior panels.
- Manual crank windows.
- A cloth interior.
- Physical controls for the heating and air-conditioning system.
- Heating and air conditioning.
- Rear-wheel drive with one rear-mounted electric motor.
- 17-inch steel wheels.
- A small digital driver-information display.
- A backup camera.
- Active safety equipment, including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
- A standard charging cable.
- A phone-mount-oriented cabin rather than a conventional integrated infotainment system.
- No center infotainment touchscreen.
- No standard built-in stereo.
“No paint” is another phrase that needs translation. Slate is not describing a bare-metal truck. The base vehicle uses gray composite body panels and is intended to be personalized with wraps and other exterior accessories rather than a traditional factory paint menu.
Slate says its marketplace includes more than 200 accessories, including speakers, roof racks, wraps, storage solutions, interior parts, and body-conversion hardware. The accessories can be selected during the ordering process, added later through a service partner, or installed by an owner when the job is suitable for DIY work.
Is the Slate really screen-free?
Not literally. The accurate description is that the Slate has no conventional center infotainment screen.
Current reporting from Wired and Car and Driver describes a small digital instrument display behind the steering wheel. The backup-camera image is expected to use the driver display rather than a center touchscreen.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchRank #2
- MAKE YOUR TV SMARTER - Enhance any TV with the ability to play videos, music, and photo slideshows from a USB drive or MicroSD Card! It’s so simple and intuitive - anyone can use it. The Micca 4K is amazingly compact and affordable, get one for each TV in the house!
- PLAYS 4K ULTRA-HD VIDEOS - Works with TVs old and new! Smoothly plays videos up to 4096x2304@30fps over UHD 4K/60Hz HDMI output. Sharp and clear video and audio in pure digital format, compatible with 4K and 1080p TVs, projectors, and monitor displays. Composite AV output for use with analog TVs or for sending sound to a stereo system.
- DUAL USB AND MICRO SD READER - Play media files from USB flash drives and USB hard drives up to 8TB, or microSD cards up to 1TB. Supports FAT/FAT32, exFAT and NTFS file systems. Compatible with wireless air mouse remotes for non-line-of-sight control so that the player can be hidden away!
- SIMPLE DIGITAL SIGNAGE - Automatic video playback with endless repeat and looping, and the ability to resume from the last stopping point. Configurable 90/180/270 degree video output rotation. Great for digital signage applications such as restaurant menu boards, lobby welcome videos, art and museum installations.
- MEDIA FORMAT SUPPORT - Videos: MKV, MP4/M4V, AVI, MOV, MPG, VOB, M2TS, TS files encoded with H.265/HEVC, H.264/AVC, MPEG1/2/4, VC1, up to 4096x2304, 30fps, 200mbps. Subtitles: SRT, PGS, IDX+SUB. Music: MP3, WAV, FLAC. Photos: JPG, GIF, BMP, PNG
Slate’s solution for navigation, music, and phone-based applications is to let the owner bring the device. A phone or tablet can be mounted in the cabin, while audio can come from a portable Bluetooth speaker or optional accessory speakers. This eliminates the cost and complexity of a conventional infotainment computer, modem, and permanently installed audio system from the base truck, but it also means the buyer must supply much of the everyday technology that comes standard in other vehicles.
That trade-off will appeal to drivers who dislike large screens, subscriptions, and connected-car systems. It will frustrate buyers who expect built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on a factory display, a standard stereo, or a polished integrated user interface.
Are the windows really manual?
Yes. The current base configuration uses crank windows. Current coverage also describes manual seats, although the final production equipment list should be checked before delivery.
Power windows were previously shown or discussed as a possible option, but Ars Technica reported that the option disappeared from Slate’s marketplace and that the company was sticking with crank windows for now. Treat power windows as unconfirmed rather than as a promised upgrade.
Manual windows and physical HVAC controls are confirmed parts of the current low-cost concept. The status of other details, such as manual door locks, should not be inferred from the windows; Slate’s final production equipment list is the authority.
Slate Truck specifications
The following figures come from Slate’s June 2026 specification sheet. They are manufacturer estimates for a preproduction vehicle and remain subject to change. Most importantly, the 205-mile range is not an official EPA range rating.
| Item | Slate estimate |
|---|---|
| Body | Two-door electric pickup |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Motor | Single rear-mounted motor |
| Output | 135 kW, approximately 181 hp |
| Torque | 264 Nm, approximately 195 lb-ft |
| Battery | 65 kWh gross; 63 kWh usable |
| Battery chemistry | LFP |
| Projected range | 205 miles; not EPA-certified |
| 0–60 mph | Approximately 8.0 seconds |
| Top speed | Approximately 90 mph |
| Length | 174.6 inches |
| Width without mirrors | 70.6 inches |
| Wheelbase | 108.9 inches |
| Ground clearance, pickup | 7.8 inches |
| Bed length | 60.5 inches |
| Bed volume | 35.1 cubic feet |
| Frunk volume | 7.0 cubic feet |
| Curb weight, pickup | 4,048 pounds |
| GVWR | 5,689 pounds |
| Payload | 1,550 pounds |
| Towing | 2,000 pounds |
| Onboard AC charger | 11 kW |
| DC fast-charge peak | 120 kW |
| Wheels | 17-inch steel |
| Turning circle | 37 feet |
The interesting combination is size and weight. At 174.6 inches long, the Slate is a compact vehicle that should be easier to park than a full-size pickup. But the 4,048-pound pickup curb weight is substantial for its dimensions because it still carries a 65-kWh battery and the rest of the equipment required for an EV.
The five-foot bed, 1,550-pound payload rating, and 2,000-pound tow rating make it useful for light-duty work. They do not make it a substitute for a full-size work truck, a heavy-duty tow vehicle, or an all-weather off-road pickup. The current truck is rear-wheel drive only, and Slate has not positioned it as an AWD vehicle.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteHow does the pickup become an SUV?
The Slate is built around one basic platform. Customers can select a pickup or add hardware that changes the body and seating configuration. The available approaches include:
- Pickup: two seats and the five-foot bed.
- Squareback: a five-seat SUV configuration.
- Fastback: another five-seat SUV configuration with a different rear body shape.
- Open Air Kit: five seats without a conventional hardtop or rear windows.
- Cargo Kit: a covered cargo-storage configuration.
The Squareback starts at $29,950, or roughly $5,000 above the base pickup before destination and other charges. The Fastback is priced higher. These are not merely decorative roof panels: the conversion adds seats and body hardware and changes the truck’s published capacity.
| Configuration | Payload | Towing |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup | 1,550 pounds | 2,000 pounds |
| SUV | 1,263 pounds | 1,824 pounds |
The modular approach is potentially valuable for an owner whose needs change. A buyer could begin with a small work-oriented pickup and later install an SUV-style configuration. But the practical questions matter:
- Where will the removed bed or body components be stored?
- How many people, tools, and hours will the conversion require?
- Will professional installation be needed, and what will it cost?
- Can the local service shop perform the work?
- How will the configuration affect insurance, registration, or resale?
- What happens if a conversion part is delayed or discontinued?
Slate promotes owner personalization, but the final production instructions and installation requirements should be verified when the vehicles and kits are available. A conversion that is straightforward in a product demonstration can be inconvenient in a driveway or apartment parking lot.
Rank #3
- MAKE YOUR TV SMARTER - Enhance any TV with the ability to play videos, music, and photo slideshows from a USB drive or MicroSD Card! It’s so simple and intuitive - anyone can use it. The Micca G3 is amazingly compact and affordable, get one for each TV in the house!
- PLAYS 2K QUAD-HD VIDEOS - Works with TVs old and new! Smoothly plays videos up to 2560x1440@60fps, upscaled to UHD 4K/60Hz HDMI output. Sharp and clear video and audio in pure digital format, compatible with 4K and 1080p TVs, projectors, and monitor displays. Composite AV output for use with analog TVs or for sending sound to a stereo system.
- DUAL USB AND MICRO SD READER - Play media files from USB flash drives and USB hard drives up to 8TB, or microSD cards up to 1TB. Supports FAT/FAT32, exFAT and NTFS file systems. Compatible with wireless air mouse remotes for non-line-of-sight control so that the player can be hidden away!
- SIMPLE DIGITAL SIGNAGE - Automatic video playback with endless repeat and looping, and the ability to resume from the last stopping point. Configurable 90/180/270 degree video output rotation. Great for digital signage applications such as restaurant menu boards, lobby welcome videos, art and museum installations.
- MEDIA FORMAT SUPPORT - Videos: MKV, MP4/M4V, AVI, MOV, MPG, VOB, M2TS, TS files encoded with H.265/HEVC, H.264/AVC, MPEG1/2/4, VC1, up to 2560x1440, 60fps, 100mbps. Subtitles: SRT, PGS, IDX+SUB. Music: MP3, WAV, FLAC. Photos: JPG, GIF, BMP, PNG
Range and charging: good for local use, less convincing for road trips
The Slate uses an LFP battery with 63 kWh of usable capacity and a North American Charging Standard connector. Slate’s published charging estimates are:
| Charging method | Published estimate |
|---|---|
| Level 1 household outlet | 1.9 kW; approximately 17 hours from 20% to 80% |
| Level 2 AC | 11 kW; approximately four hours from 20% to 100% |
| DC fast charging | Up to 120 kW; approximately 30 minutes from 20% to 80% |
Slate says a household outlet can add approximately 20 to 50 miles overnight, depending on conditions. The NACS connector should provide access to Tesla Superchargers, subject to final vehicle compatibility, network rules, and station availability when customer trucks arrive. See Slate’s charging information for the company’s current details.
In practical terms, the charging setup favors:
- Local commuting with overnight home charging.
- Owners who can charge at work.
- Small delivery fleets with predictable routes and overnight or shift-based Level 2 charging.
- Drivers who rarely need to cover several hundred highway miles in a day.
It is less attractive for frequent long-distance travel. A projected 205-mile range is modest by 2026 standards, and the 120-kW peak DC charging rate is not especially aggressive. Highway speeds, cold temperatures, cabin heating, towing, payload, roof accessories, larger tires, and SUV conversions can all reduce real-world efficiency and increase charging stops.
The same qualification applies to the range number every time it appears: 205 miles is Slate’s projection based on an approximation of the EPA test cycle, not an official EPA-certified result. The final EPA rating could be higher or lower.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What is it like to drive?
There is not yet enough independent testing to make a final judgment about the Slate’s ride, handling, highway refinement, range, towing behavior, or durability. Journalists have driven or ridden in preproduction and design-validation vehicles, but those experiences are not equivalent to a long-term road test of customer trucks.
Early reports describe smooth electric acceleration and a compliant ride. Slate estimates an approximately eight-second 0-to-60-mph time, which is adequate rather than sporty. Its compact dimensions should be useful in urban environments and tight parking spaces.
There are also reasons to remain cautious. The Autopian observed fitment and trim imperfections on an early validation vehicle. Ars Technica’s experience was a brief ride-along, not an independent range, towing, braking, or durability test. Those reports are useful evidence that the vehicle exists and is being developed, but they do not establish the quality of production trucks.
Safety: equipment is planned, the rating is pending
Slate says the truck is designed to achieve a five-star U.S. NCAP rating. Its published safety and driver-assistance equipment includes:
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- Traction control.
- Electronic stability control.
- Forward collision warning.
- Automatic emergency braking.
- Pedestrian identification.
- Automatic high beams.
- Backup camera.
- Two-stage driver and passenger airbags.
- Full-length side-curtain airbags.
- Seat-mounted side airbags.
- Remote keyless entry.
That list describes the company’s intended equipment and target, not a completed crash-test result. A five-star safety rating has not been earned merely because Slate says the vehicle is designed to achieve it. As of the research date, independent NHTSA or IIHS results should be considered pending. MotorTrend also noted that Slate did not demonstrate the truck’s crashworthiness during its ride event.
Before paying a nonrefundable preorder deposit, a buyer should check the latest NHTSA and IIHS information and confirm that the production vehicle’s standard safety equipment matches the announced list.
When can you actually buy and receive one?
Slate is accepting preorders, but customer deliveries have not started. The company currently says first deliveries are expected in late 2026, followed by a production ramp.
The current process is:
- Place a preorder through Slate.
- Pay a $300 deposit, or $250 for certain existing $50 reservation holders.
- Receive or lock in a delivery window.
- Finalize the vehicle’s accessories and financing closer to delivery.
- Take delivery, or pay an additional fee if Slate offers delivery to the customer’s door.
The $300 preorder deposit is nonrefundable but counts toward the purchase price. That makes it materially different from the earlier reservation.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rank #4
- 【SIMPLE, POWERFUL, COMPACT】- Easily play videos, photos, and music files from USB drives, hard drives, and SD cards. Simple and intuitive to use with no complicated settings. Takes up very little space - it’s smaller than a deck of playing cards!
- 【FULL-HD VIDEO PLAYBACK】- Stunning HDMI video quality up to 1080p/60Hz with support for the latest video formats such as H.265/HEVC. Feeds digital surround sound to home theater receivers for a cinema-like movie experience. Includes analog AV output for connecting to an older TV or for sending audio to a stereo system.
- 【READS USB DRIVES AND SD CARDS】- Reads USB flash drives and hard drives up to 8TB and SD cards up to 1TB. Supports FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS file systems. Automatic playback, continuous looping and repeat, and the ability to resume video playback from the last stop point.
- 【TRIGGER SENSOR INPUT】- Ability to loop one video continuously and play a different video when triggered by an optional push-button or motion sensor. Build an interactive digital signage display, art gallery or museum on-demand video player, or a Halloween special effect in just a few steps. Push-button and motion sensors sold separately.
- 【MEDIA FORMAT SUPPORT】 - Video: MP4, MKV, AVI, TS/TP, MOV, VOB, and M2TS files using H.265/HEVC, H.264/AVC, VC1, or MPEG2/4 codecs, up to 1920x1080p@60fps, 10-bit color, and 100mbps. Photos: JPG, JPEG, BMP, GIF (non-animated), PNG. Music: MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC, APE, AAC
| Type | Deposit | Refundability and purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Earlier reservation | $50 | Refundable; used to express interest and secure an earlier position |
| Current preorder | $300 | Nonrefundable; credited toward the vehicle and intended to lock in delivery timing |
Slate’s FAQ says the reservation window closed on June 24, 2026, while a separate reservation page has continued to describe $50 reservations as available. That is a website inconsistency. Prospective buyers should rely on the active preorder page and the status shown in their Slate account rather than assuming that a $50 reservation remains open.
Late 2026 is a company target, not a guaranteed delivery date. Production tooling, supplier readiness, final safety and regulatory certification, EPA testing, quality control, logistics, and state-specific sales and registration rules can all affect timing. Slate’s current ordering page is the best source for a buyer’s actual delivery window and applicable fees.
Where is the Slate made?
Slate says the truck is designed in California and Michigan, engineered in Michigan, and planned for assembly in Warsaw, Indiana. The factory occupies a former printing-plant site.
The company says it expects to invest nearly $400 million in the facility, create more than 2,000 jobs in Kosciusko County, and eventually reach annual capacity of up to 150,000 vehicles. Those are company plans and targets, not evidence that the plant has reached those production rates. Slate’s manufacturing information and Warsaw factory updates provide the company’s current account.
Recommended Free Tools
“Made in America” also needs a precise definition here. It is supportable to say the vehicle is designed, engineered, and planned to be assembled in the United States. The available information does not establish that every component or raw material is domestically sourced.
Service, repairability, and warranty
Repairability is central to Slate’s ownership proposition. The company intends to provide free Slate U how-to material, make many accessories suitable for owner installation, and use independent RepairPal shops for service and accessory installation.
Slate says more than 100 locations are expected to be capable of high-voltage EV work. Its public pages have referenced different totals for the broader RepairPal network—3,000-plus, 3,800-plus, and 4,000-plus locations depending on the page and update. The exact nationwide number is therefore less useful than answering the local question: Is there a qualified high-voltage EV repair location within a reasonable distance of the buyer?
Slate’s listed coverage is:
- Battery and powertrain: 10 years or 110,000 miles.
- Standard limited vehicle warranty: four years or 50,000 miles.
- Roadside assistance: four years or 50,000 miles.
Owner-installed accessories raise a practical warranty question. DIY work should not be assumed to automatically void the entire vehicle warranty, but neither should every self-installed part be assumed to receive factory coverage. Buyers should read the final warranty terms, follow Slate’s installation instructions, and keep high-voltage battery and propulsion repairs to qualified technicians. Cosmetic accessories and low-voltage add-ons are a different risk category from work on the battery, motor, charging system, or high-voltage wiring.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe risks of ordering from a new automaker
Slate is further along than it was when the first $20,000 headlines appeared, but it remains a startup without customer vehicles on the road. The principal risks include:
- Production ramp: Factory tooling and assembly processes may take longer than planned.
- Supplier execution: A missing or delayed component can affect production and repair-part availability.
- Certification: Final safety, regulatory, and EPA testing may change specifications or timing.
- Early-build quality: Fit, finish, software, seals, trim, and accessory integration may be less mature in the first vehicles.
- Service coverage: A large national RepairPal count does not mean every location can work on high-voltage systems.
- Accessory availability: Slate’s modular concept depends on the continued supply of conversion parts and accessories.
- Price creep: Destination, taxes, financing, labor, charging installation, and options can push the actual purchase cost well above the headline number.
- Resale and reliability: There is no established long-term reliability record or resale history yet.
- Delivery uncertainty: A late-2026 target can move if production or state-level delivery requirements change.
These are not reasons that the Slate cannot succeed. They are reasons to treat a preorder as an early-adopter decision rather than as the same risk profile as buying a mature Chevrolet, Ford, or Toyota product.
How the Slate compares with the alternatives
Chevrolet Bolt
The Chevrolet Bolt is the clearest alternative for someone who wants an inexpensive EV but does not specifically need a pickup bed. It offers a more conventional cabin, power windows, a center touchscreen, integrated vehicle electronics, more range, and Chevrolet’s established dealer and service structure. It does not offer Slate’s five-foot bed, modular conversions, or deliberately simple design.
Ars Technica listed the Bolt at $27,600 before destination and $28,995 including destination in its comparison. Buyers should verify the applicable model year, current MSRP, incentives, and inventory before making a direct price comparison.
Best Value
- [Smooth 4K Ultra HD Playback] This 4K@30Hz HDMI digital media player utilizes H.265/HEVC decoding technology, enabling playback of videos up to 4096×2304 resolution compared to H.264 or 1080P, delivering a clearer and smoother picture.
- [Plug and Play] The HD media player is easy to use, requiring no WiFi or app. It supports direct playback/copying/deletion of videos, music, photos, PPTs, and PDFs from USB storage devices or Micro SD cards. Equipped with dual USB ports, this media player can also connect to a mouse/keyboard or speakers.
- [HDMI RCA Optical Outputs] This media player connects to TVs, digital signage displays, or projectors via an HDMI port for crisp 4K video playback. The player also comes with analog RCA output to hook up legacy older TVs and monitors, plus built-in optical audio port to transmit lossless digital surround sound to soundbars, amplifiers and home theater audio systems, delivering immersive high-fidelity audio without signal loss.
- [TV Projector or Digital Signage] This 4K media player supports autoplay, loop playback, and shuffle playback, and supports both landscape and portrait display modes. HDMI media player can run continuously, making it ideal for TV projector or digital signage such as restaurant welcome videos, reception videos, and art and museum installations.
- [Extensive Compatibility] This media player for TV can play media files from USB hard drives up to 8TB in capacity or micro SD cards up to 1TB in capacity. Supported file systems include FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS. Supported formats include: H.265/HEVC (MKV, MOV, AVI), MPEG, FLV, RM, 3GP, MP4, WMV, RMVB, DAT, MPG, TS, M2TS, JPG, JPEG, BMP, GIF, PNG, MP3, OGG, FLAC, APE, AAC, WMA, etc.
Ford Maverick
The Ford Maverick is the more natural comparison for someone who needs a small pickup rather than simply an affordable EV. It has four doors, easier child-seat access, a conventional dealer and service ecosystem, and gasoline or hybrid powertrains. It is not a direct battery-electric equivalent, so the comparison involves fuel cost, charging convenience, emissions, road-trip flexibility, payload, towing, winter operation, and availability as well as purchase price.
The Maverick is likely the safer choice for buyers who need a proven small truck today. The Slate is more interesting for buyers who specifically want an EV, rear-wheel drive, modularity, and a simpler cabin and can wait for a new product to launch.
Ford’s upcoming low-cost electric pickup
Ford’s planned low-cost electric pickup, called Fathom in current coverage, is another relevant comparison. Axios reports an expected starting price around $28,350 and a 2027 arrival. Ford’s vehicle is expected to use more conventional technology and driver-assistance equipment than the Slate.
Fathom is also an upcoming product, so neither truck should be treated as fully proven. Compare announced specifications, confirmed pricing, final EPA figures, production timing, dealer support, and actual independent testing rather than comparing two sets of marketing claims.
Used compact pickups
A used Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Chevrolet Colorado, or another older compact pickup may be the better answer for a buyer who needs a truck immediately, travels long distances, tows regularly, or wants established parts and repair knowledge. The trade-offs are fuel use, emissions, age-related maintenance, and potentially less advanced safety technology.
Who should consider a Slate?
The Slate makes the most sense for a buyer who:
- Drives mostly locally.
- Can charge at home or at work.
- Wants a small footprint and a five-foot bed.
- Can live with two doors and two seats in pickup form.
- Does not need all-wheel drive.
- Prefers physical controls and dislikes large infotainment screens.
- Needs moderate rather than heavy-duty payload and towing capability.
- Values modular upgrades and is comfortable with some DIY work.
- Can tolerate the uncertainty of an early production vehicle.
- Wants an EV but cannot justify the price of a larger electric pickup.
It is a poor fit for someone who:
- Needs four doors, frequent rear-seat access, or a family vehicle immediately.
- Frequently drives long highway distances.
- Tows heavy trailers or regularly carries bulky loads near the limit.
- Needs AWD for snow, mud, or off-road use.
- Expects a factory stereo, integrated navigation, or a large center display.
- Wants a mature service network and established resale history today.
- Does not have a secure place to store removed conversion parts.
- Expects the old post-incentive $20,000 price.
- Needs a fully equipped vehicle without adding options or installation labor.
Bottom line: is the Slate Truck worth watching?
Slate Auto is real, unusually well funded, and much closer to production than it was when the original viral headline appeared. Its concept is genuinely distinctive: a compact electric pickup with crank windows, physical controls, no center infotainment screen, a phone-based cabin, and body panels and accessories that can be changed over time.
But the current truth is less sensational than the headline. The minimum is $24,950 before destination and fees—or $26,400 with destination. The projected 205-mile range is not EPA-certified. The five-star safety score is a target, not a result. The base truck has two doors, two seats, rear-wheel drive, no standard stereo, and few of the convenience features many buyers now take for granted. The SUV conversion adds flexibility but also cost, weight, installation work, and reduced payload and towing ratings.
For a local driver who can charge at home and wants a small, simple, customizable EV, the Slate could fill a real gap. For a buyer who needs proven reliability, family practicality, heavy-duty capability, long-distance range, or immediate transportation, waiting for final testing—or choosing a mature alternative—makes more sense. Do not place the nonrefundable preorder deposit until the final price, production equipment, delivery window, safety results, EPA range, warranty terms, and nearby high-voltage service options are clear.
Recommended Free Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Slate Truck really $20,000?
No. The $20,000 figure was a 2025 projected price after federal incentives. The current base price is $24,950, and the $1,450 destination charge brings it to $26,400 before taxes, title, registration, documentation fees, options, and delivery charges. The federal new-vehicle credit is not available for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025.
Does the Slate Truck have a touchscreen?
The base Slate has no conventional center infotainment touchscreen and no standard built-in stereo. It does have a small digital driver display, and the backup-camera view is expected to use that display. Owners can mount a phone or tablet and add portable or accessory audio equipment.
Are Slate Truck windows manual?
Yes. The current base configuration uses manual crank windows. Power windows have been discussed previously, but they are not currently confirmed as a production option.
When will Slate Truck deliveries begin?
Slate says first deliveries are expected in late 2026. That is a company target, not a guaranteed date. The vehicle is not yet an established, volume-produced model with customer ownership data.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Is the Slate Truck’s 205-mile range EPA-rated?
No. The 205-mile figure is Slate’s projected estimate based on an approximation of the EPA test cycle. It is not an official EPA range rating, and real-world range can fall with highway driving, cold weather, towing, payload, HVAC use, and accessories.
Can the Slate Truck become a five-seat SUV?
Yes. Slate offers Squareback and Fastback five-seat SUV configurations, as well as Open Air and Cargo configurations. The Squareback starts at $29,950 before destination and other charges. The SUV configuration has lower published payload and towing ratings than the pickup.
The Bottom Line
Slate Auto is building a real, unusually simple electric pickup—but the $20,000 headline is no longer accurate. The current minimum is $26,400 including destination and before taxes and options. The truck could be compelling for local drivers who value a small footprint, home charging, physical controls, and modular customization. It is a much riskier choice for buyers who need proven production quality, long-distance range, four-door practicality, heavy towing, or an established service and resale record.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →
