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The dark-gray pickup photographed on a flatbed outside Los Angeles in April 2025 was an early Slate Auto prototype—not a finished production truck. It was the first widely reported real-world look at the secretive Bezos-backed startup’s small, two-seat electric pickup. Slate now says that vehicle will become the $24,950 Blank Slate: a modular EV that can be configured as a pickup, five-seat SUV, open-air vehicle, or cargo hauler, with first deliveries expected in late 2026.
That mysterious dark-gray pickup photographed on a flatbed outside Los Angeles in April 2025 was an early Slate Auto prototype—not a finished production truck. The sighting was the first widely reported real-world look at the secretive electric-vehicle startup’s small, two-seat pickup, which was backed by Jeff Bezos and Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter.
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Slate has since publicly described the vehicle as the Blank Slate: a rear-wheel-drive electric pickup that can be reconfigured as a five-seat SUV, open-air vehicle, or covered-cargo hauler. Slate currently lists the base truck at $24,950 before taxes, fees, destination charges, and options, with first deliveries expected in late 2026. The company says the preproduction vehicle will have 205 miles of projected range, a 1,550-pound payload rating, and a 2,000-pound towing rating.
What the 2025 Slate prototype photo showed
On April 9, 2025, a Reddit user posted a photograph of a compact, dark-gray, two-seat pickup sitting on a flatbed. According to the post, the vehicle was being unloaded from a shipping container outside an office in the Los Angeles area.
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TechCrunch published the image on April 10 and reported that a person with direct knowledge of Slate’s vehicle design confirmed that it was an early Slate prototype. The source said it was probably one of the concept vehicles prepared for presentations to prospective investors at Slate’s Long Beach design center.
The photograph did not show a road-ready production model. It did, however, reveal several broad characteristics that remained central to Slate’s later public presentation:
- a small footprint compared with full-size electric pickups;
- two seats in the initial configuration;
- a deliberately simple, upright body;
- a plain front end without an elaborate grille treatment; and
- a design intended to serve as a base for customer-selected accessories.
TechCrunch compared the front end loosely with the modern Ford Bronco Sport and the overall proportions with a smaller, simplified Rivian R1T. Those comparisons describe the photograph’s appearance, not a claim that Slate copied either vehicle.
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Why the sighting was unusually important
Slate had reportedly operated in stealth for about three years before emerging publicly in April 2025. At the time of the photograph, the company had not launched the vehicle or shown a complete public product specification. The image therefore offered an unusually early indication that the low-cost electric pickup project was real and had progressed beyond drawings or investor presentations.
The company’s reported target—roughly $25,000—was particularly striking. Most new electric pickups launched in the United States have occupied substantially higher price brackets, making Slate’s approach dependent on a simpler vehicle, fewer standard features, direct sales, and paid customization.
Early reporting also discussed a price below $20,000 after a federal EV tax credit. That figure should not be used as the current price. Slate’s present materials list the Blank Slate at $24,950 before applicable taxes, title and registration costs, government fees, documentation fees, destination, and optional equipment. The earlier sub-$20,000 discussion depended on an EV incentive that was expected to expire and is not part of Slate’s current listed price.
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What Slate says the prototype became
Slate’s eventual public product is broader than the two-seat pickup shown in the photograph. Every vehicle starts as a two-seat pickup called the Blank Slate, but owners can order or later add components that change its role.
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| Configuration | What it is intended to do |
|---|---|
| Standard pickup | The base two-seat truck with an open bed. |
| Squareback SUV | A five-seat SUV conversion with a more upright rear profile. |
| Fastback SUV | A five-seat SUV conversion with a sloping rear design. |
| Open Air Kit | A configuration intended to provide a more open-air driving experience. |
| Cargo Kit | A setup that adds covered storage for hauling gear or protecting cargo. |
This modular approach is the central difference between Slate and a conventional pickup purchase. A buyer could start with the simple truck and add equipment as family, work, recreation, or storage needs change. The trade-off is that the advertised starting price does not represent the cost of every configuration, accessory, or conversion.
Slate also says the vehicle will use tactile controls rather than a central touchscreen and that the platform contains fewer than half the parts of a typical truck. Those are Slate’s claims, not independently verified conclusions. The company says the simplified design is intended to reduce cost and make the vehicle easier to customize, but the real-world effect will depend on final engineering, assembly quality, software, serviceability, and option pricing.
Price, preorder status, and delivery timing
As of August 12, 2026, Slate lists the Blank Slate Truck at:
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- Destination charge: $1,450;
- Preorder deposit: $300, credited toward the final purchase price; and
- Expected first deliveries: late 2026, with the company’s announcement using the more specific wording “fourth quarter of 2026.”
The base price excludes taxes, title, registration, government charges, documentation fees, destination, and optional equipment. Slate sells directly to consumers rather than through a traditional dealership network.
Slate said in June 2026 that it had more than 180,000 reservation holders. That number is not the same as 180,000 completed orders, vehicles built, or vehicles delivered. The company previously reported more than 100,000 refundable reservations in May 2025 and more than 150,000 by December 2025.
Prospective buyers should also remember that the truck remains in preproduction. Slate says specifications can change, so the reservation figure and current estimate sheet do not establish how many final vehicles will be produced or exactly when customer deliveries will occur.
Projected Slate truck specifications
Slate’s current manufacturer estimates describe a compact, single-motor, rear-wheel-drive electric pickup. The key figures are:
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|---|---|
| Powertrain | Rear-wheel drive, single motor |
| Battery | LFP chemistry; 65 kWh pack capacity, 63 kWh usable energy |
| Power | 135 kW |
| Torque | 264 Nm |
| 0–60 mph | Approximately 8 seconds |
| Top speed | 90 mph |
| Projected range | 205 miles for the pickup |
| Length | 174.6 inches |
| Width | 70.6 inches without mirrors |
| Height | 68 inches |
| Wheelbase | 108.9 inches |
| Bed length | 60.5 inches with the tailgate closed |
| Maximum payload | 1,550 pounds |
| Maximum towing | 2,000 pounds |
These are manufacturer estimates for a preproduction vehicle. Slate’s 205-mile figure is based on an approximation of the EPA test cycle, not an official EPA-estimated range rating. Actual range can change with temperature, speed, driving style, accessories, charging conditions, battery age, and the final production specification.
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The numbers also place the Slate in a different category from larger electric trucks such as the Rivian R1T or Ford F-150 Lightning. Its compact dimensions and modest towing target may suit urban driving, light-duty hauling, and recreational use better than heavy work. The two-seat base configuration is another important practical limitation until an SUV conversion is added.
Charging: NACS, home charging, and road trips
Slate says the truck will use the North American Charging Standard (NACS) and have access to Tesla Superchargers. That should make public charging more convenient than it was for early electric vehicles that required an adapter or had limited fast-charging access, although the exact network experience will depend on final vehicle approval, software, connector compatibility, and charger availability.
Slate’s current charging estimates are:
- Onboard AC charger: 11 kW;
- Level 2: approximately four hours from 20% to 100%; and
- DC fast charging: approximately 30 minutes from 20% to 80% at 120 kW.
Slate also says the vehicle can charge from a standard 120-volt household outlet. That is useful as a fallback, but Level 1 charging is substantially slower than using a properly installed 240-volt Level 2 setup. A buyer should not assume that a household outlet can restore a meaningful amount of range overnight without checking the circuit, electrical load, extension-cord safety, and final charging instructions.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsA generic NACS EV charging cable may be relevant for owners preparing for home or roadside charging, but compatibility should be confirmed against Slate’s final documentation. The truck’s included equipment, supported charging rates, cable requirements, and approved accessories may change before production. A cable should not be described as Slate-approved merely because the vehicle uses NACS.
Slate identifies Treehouse as its home-charging installation partner for charger installation and electrical-upgrade quotes. Installation requirements vary by home, panel capacity, garage location, local code, and the final charger selected, so an electrician’s assessment is more important than assuming every buyer will need the same equipment.
How Slate plans to handle service and repairs
A low purchase price is only part of the ownership equation. A new automaker also needs a practical way to diagnose, repair, and maintain vehicles across the country.
Slate says it is working with RepairPal on a certified repair network. Its materials refer to more than 3,000 RepairPal shops in one context, including more than 100 able to perform high-voltage EV service, while a separate current service page refers to more than 4,000 certified shops. Those figures may reflect different update dates or network definitions. They should not be combined into one precise total.
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For a future owner, the important question is not simply how many shops are listed nationwide. It is whether a qualified shop is close enough to the owner, whether it can perform high-voltage work, whether it has Slate-specific parts and training, and how warranty repairs will be authorized. Prospective buyers can eventually look for a Slate-certified repair shop or use RepairPal’s service-discovery tools, but current network availability should be checked by location.
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Slate’s partner materials also invite accessory manufacturers, repair businesses, collision providers, roadside-assistance companies, and other service businesses to participate. That ecosystem could help the company support a vehicle built around owner-installed customization, but it will need to be operational before the first large wave of deliveries.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where Slate trucks will be built
Slate says its vehicles are designed in California and Michigan, engineered in Michigan, and assembled in Warsaw, Indiana. The factory is a former printing facility that the company is tooling up for vehicle production.
Slate’s Warsaw materials say the site is being prepared to get trucks rolling off the line later in 2026. In its June 2026 announcement, the company said it plans to invest nearly $400 million in the factory and create more than 2,000 jobs in Warsaw. It also projected that the operation could contribute up to $39 billion to Indiana’s economy over 20 years.
Those investment, employment, and economic-impact figures are company projections. They are not proof that production has started or that the projected economic contribution will occur. The factory’s ability to achieve the promised delivery schedule will depend on tooling, supplier readiness, regulatory approvals, production validation, quality control, and funding.
What the photograph does—and does not—prove
The flatbed image proves that Slate had at least one physical prototype in existence by April 2025, according to TechCrunch’s reporting and its source with direct knowledge of the design. It does not prove that the photographed vehicle had the final battery, motor, dimensions, payload, towing capability, safety equipment, interior, or software.
Nor should the photo be treated as a preview of every production configuration. Slate’s later materials describe SUV, open-air, and cargo conversions that may not have been represented by the early two-seat prototype.
The most accurate way to understand the image is as an early development milestone. It showed the basic idea—a small, plain electric pickup built to accept customization—before Slate had publicly detailed the product or demonstrated that it could manufacture the vehicle at scale.
What prospective buyers should watch next
- Final certification: The 205-mile range figure is not yet an official EPA rating, and final performance numbers may change.
- Production launch: Slate says first deliveries are expected in late 2026, but preproduction status means the schedule remains a milestone to be met.
- Real option pricing: The $24,950 figure is for the base truck, not necessarily a five-seat SUV or fully equipped configuration.
- Conversion details: Buyers should confirm whether owner-installed kits require professional installation, special tools, software updates, or changes to payload and range.
- Service coverage: Check whether a nearby RepairPal location can handle high-voltage EV work and Slate-specific repairs.
- Warranty terms: Slate’s materials describe a 10-year/110,000-mile battery and powertrain warranty. The complete exclusions, transfer rules, coverage limits, and warranty process matter as much as the headline duration.
- Charging equipment: Confirm what is included with the vehicle and whether a home installation requires a new circuit, panel work, or a particular charger.
The bottom line on the Slate truck sighting
The 2025 flatbed photograph was the first public glimpse of what became Slate Auto’s low-cost, modular electric pickup. It showed a basic two-seat truck in prototype form, not a finished production vehicle. Slate’s current plan is more ambitious: sell a $24,950 rear-wheel-drive EV and let owners convert it into a pickup, five-seat SUV, open-air vehicle, or cargo hauler.
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That combination of a relatively low starting price, simple controls, NACS charging, and extensive customization could distinguish Slate if the company can deliver it at scale. For now, however, the price, range, towing, payload, service network, production schedule, and economic-impact figures remain manufacturer estimates or projections. The next meaningful test will be whether Slate can turn the unusual prototype seen on a Los Angeles flatbed into a certified, serviceable vehicle delivered to customers in late 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the Slate truck spotted in 2025 a production vehicle?
The photographed vehicle was an early two-seat Slate prototype, according to TechCrunch’s reporting and a source with direct knowledge of Slate’s design. It was likely built for investor presentations and was not a finished production model.
How much will the Slate electric pickup cost?
Slate currently lists the Blank Slate Truck at $24,950 before taxes, title, registration, government fees, documentation fees, the $1,450 destination charge, and optional equipment. A $300 preorder deposit is credited toward the purchase price.
When will Slate deliver its electric truck?
Slate says first deliveries are expected in late 2026. Its June 2026 announcement specified the fourth quarter of 2026, while its FAQ uses the broader term “late 2026.” The vehicle remains in preproduction, so the schedule is subject to change.
What is the Slate truck’s range?
Slate’s current projected figure is 205 miles for the pickup. This is a manufacturer estimate based on an approximation of the EPA test cycle, not an official EPA-estimated range rating. Actual range will vary with conditions and vehicle configuration.
Can the Slate pickup become an SUV?
Every Slate begins as a two-seat pickup. Slate says owners can configure it as a five-seat Squareback or Fastback SUV, or add an Open Air Kit or Cargo Kit. Final equipment, pricing, installation requirements, and specifications may change.
The Bottom Line
The truck spotted in April 2025 was an early Slate prototype, not a production model. Slate now lists the Blank Slate at $24,950 before fees and options, with projected 205-mile range, NACS charging, modular pickup-to-SUV configurations, and late-2026 deliveries. Because the vehicle remains in preproduction, its specifications, timing, and capability claims can still change.
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