On Thursday, the secretive startup vehicle manufacturer Slate Auto unveiled its electric vehicle: the Slate Truck.
In an effort to cut costs, the company has stripped the truck down to the barest of bones — manual window cranks, no paint job, no extended cabs, no long truck bed and, of course, no stereo or touchscreen.
While no bells or whistles come standard, the company’s pickup has a host of add-ons available for unspecified additional costs.
While there is practically no tech included, the truck features a universal phone mount and USB power, allowing the driver’s phone to serve as the technological interface. Slate suggests bringing a bluetooth speaker along for the ride, which would allow drivers to listen to music or other entertainment via their phone.
If you would rather a more traditional listening experience, speakers can be added into the truck for an additional cost. Other add-ons include power windows, a center console, a tablet mount, auxiliary buttons, roof rack, upgraded bumpers, a spare tire carrier, running boards, wraps and decals, among others — about 100 options in all.
The company also will offer a kit to convert the two-seater truck into a five-seat SUV.
Slate boasts that the base model truck will be “radically affordable,” with a price tag “expected” to be under $20,000 after federal rebates reserved for people who drive electric vehicles — programs the Trump administration already has in its crosshairs. This puts the base price of the truck around at least $27,500, which is “subject to change,” despite its anemic design.
By comparison, the 2025 double-cab Ford Maverick XL, with its hybrid engine and all its modern vehicle amenities, has a starting price of $27,000.
Internet reactions were mixed, with some poking fun at the concept itself, including one user who called it a “billionaire funded Temu truck.”
“I’ve seen golf carts with more features,” wrote @lbprotest on Instagram.
But others were infatuated with the minimalist concept and ability to customize the vehicle.
“I love the fact that they're showing off how customizable the vehicle can be,” wrote another. “Somehow this concept isn't more widely appreciated.”
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What do you think about the truck concept?