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A novel American electric fomite startup calledSlate Autohas made its debut , and it ’s about as anti - Tesla as it gets .
It ’s low-priced , deep customizable , and very analogue . It has manual window and it does n’t come with a main infotainment CRT screen . Heck , it is n’t even paint . It can alsotransformfrom a two - seater pickup to a five - seater SUV .
The three - year - former startup revealed its vehicle during an outcome Thursday night in Long Beach , California , and foretell the first trucks would be available to customers for under $ 20,000withthe federal EV tax citation by the end of 2026 .
The upshot comes just a few weeks sinceTechCrunch revealeddetails of Slate Auto ’s plans to move into the U.S. EV market , build its trucks in Indiana , and that the endeavour is financially backed by Amazon father Jeff Bezos .
The motorcar industry “ has been so focused on liberty and technology in the fomite , it ’s driven prices to a place that most Americans plainly ca n’t give , ” chief commercial policeman Jeremy Snyder pronounce during the event , which Inside EVs livestreamed . “ But we ’re here to change that . ”
“ We are building the affordable fomite that has long been promised but never been delivered , ” CEO Chris Barman bring .
The Specs
Slate is n’t saying exactly how much its motortruck will cost — multiple sources have told TechCrunch over the last few workweek the companionship has gone back and forth on the issue . And so much can change between now and a late 2026 release date .
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The company issaying it will embark on under $ 20,000 after the federal revenue enhancement credit entry ( providing that still survive next year ) . concerned buyers can place a $ 50 refundable reservation on the company ’s website .
The base version of Slate ’s truck will squeeze 150 miles out of a 52.7kWh battery ingroup , which will power a individual 150kW motor on the rearward axle . For folks who get a little spooked at that number , Slate is offering a big battery pack that it says will have about 240 mile of grasp . It will charge using a North American Charging Standard porthole , the standard Tesla established that almost all major automakers now use .
The truck comes with 17 - in wheels and a five - foot bed , and has a see 1,400 - lb payload capacity with a 1,000 - pound towing capacity . Since it ’s an EV , there ’s no engine up front . In its place there ’s a front automobile trunk ( or frunk ) with 7 cubic foot of memory board quad , which happens to have a drainpipe in instance the possessor wants to fill it with ice rink for that tailgate party .
That tow capacity is lower than a more capable Ford F-150 , and is even less than the smaller Ford Maverick , which can tow around 1,500 pound .
talk of the Ford Maverick , Slate ’s truck is smaller . The Slate EV has a wheelbase of 108.9 inches , and an overall length of 174.6 in . The Maverick has a 121.1 - column inch wheelbase and overall length of 199.7 inches .
Everything else about the base version of the truck is awfully spare — and that ’s the point . Slate is really maximizing the theme of a stand model , and set client up for paying to custom-make the EV to their liking .
Custom… everything
slating is profoundly committed to the thought of customization , which sets it apart from any other EV startup ( or traditional carmaker ) .
The company say Thursday it will launch with more than 100 unlike appurtenance that buyers can practice to personalize the hand truck to their liking . If that ’s overwhelming , Slate has curated a turn of dissimilar “ starter packs ” that interested purchaser can pick out from .
The truck does n’t even come paint . ticket is instead play up the idea of twine its vehicles , something executives said they will sell in kits . Buyers can either have Slate do that workplace for them , or put the wraps on themselves .
This not only adds to the thought of a emptor being able to personalize their vehicle , but it also cuts out a huge toll center for the company . It intend Slate wo n’t need a pigment store at its manufactory , allowing it to pass less to get to market , while also avoiding one of the most to a great extent regulated parts of vehicle manufacturing .
Slate is telling customers that they can name the car whatever they need , offering the power to buy an embossed wrapper for the tailgate . Otherwise , the motortruck is just referred to as the “ Blank Slate . ”
As TechCrunch previously reported , the customization art object is central to how the party hopes to make up leeway on what is otherwise a relatively turd - punk vehicle .
But it ’s also part of the friendly slant Slate is making to customers .
Barman say Thursday that people can “ make the Blank Slate yours at the time of leverage , or as your want and funds change over time . ” It ’s billing the ADHD - ons as “ easy DIY ” that “ non - gearheads ” can undertake , and tell it will launch a suite of how - to resource under the billing of Slate University .
“ Buy your accessories , get them deliver tight , and install them yourself with the easygoing how - to video in Slate U , our content hub , ” the website reads . “ Do n’t require to go the DIY route ? A Slate authorized better half can come and do it for you . ”
The other library of customizations on Slate ’s site ambit from functional to cosmetic . vendee can tot up infotainment screens , speakers , roof racks , twinkle covers , and much more .
The most significant are the option that lease buyer “ transform ” the motortruck into roomier SUV anatomy factors . But these are n’t permanent decisiveness . Slate says people will be able to alter their vehicle into , and back from , an SUV if they care — “ no mechanics certification required . ”
All that said , Slate ’s truck come standard with some federally mandate safety characteristic such as automatic emergency brake braking , airbags , and a backup television camera .
Buckle up
The road to piddle a successful American automotive inauguration is littered with failure . In the last few years , Canoo , Fisker , and Lordstown Motors have all file for bankruptcy . And that ’s just to name a few . Those companies that are still around , like Rivian and Lucid Motors , are hemorrhaging money in an attempt to get eminent - volume , more low-cost models to market .
Slate is a total eversion of that approaching . It ’s depart after a low - cost EV first and foremost , and skip to make that business viable by append it with money from this mystifying customization play .
But , much like Rivian and Lucid Motors , it also has deep - pocketed angel . It has raised more than $ 111 million so far ( the precise chassis is still not public ) . And , apart from Bezos , has take aim money from Mark Walter , Guggenheim Partners CEO and control possessor of the LA Dodgers , as TechCrunch reported this month .
The fellowship has hired nearly 400 employees in service of accomplishing all of its ambitious goals , and is presently endeavor to hire more . ticket arguably could not have pick a more explosive time to make its entry , but it ’s also focused on domesticated manufacture , and may be insulated from some of the turmoil facing other startups and base car manufacturer .
“ We think vehicle should be affordable and worthy , ” Barman say Thursday , add that Slate ’s truck “ is a fomite people are in reality belong to love and be gallant to own . ”
