Meet Slate Auto’s $20K Electric Truck: Manual Windows, No Screens
▼ Summary
– Slate Auto, backed by Jeff Bezos, introduced its first electric vehicle, the Slate Truck, with a starting price under $20,000 and a range of up to 150 miles.
– The Blank Slate focuses on “accessible personalization” with kits to convert it from a pickup to an SUV or an “open air” truck.
– The truck offers two battery options: a 57.2 kWh pack with 150 miles range and an 84.3 kWh pack with 240 miles range, and features a NACS charging port.
– The Slate Truck features active emergency braking, forward collision warning, up to eight airbags, and is designed to be customizable and repairable.
In an unexpected move, Slate Auto, the electric vehicle startup rumored to be backed by Jeff Bezos, has introduced its first electric vehicle, the Slate Truck. This new EV boasts a range of up to 150 miles (241 km) and starts at under $20,000, provided federal clean vehicle tax credits remain available.
Slate recently created quite a buzz on social media by displaying two styling concepts (non-functional models) in Venice, California, promoting quirky fake businesses. The company officially revealed the vehicle to the press at an event near Long Beach Airport.
For those seeking a no-frills EV, the Blank Slate delivers just that.
Dubbed the Blank Slate, this vehicle focuses on “accessible personalization” and includes a “flat-pack accessory SUV Kit,” converting the truck from a pickup to a five-seat SUV, and another kit that transforms it into an “open air” truck. According to a spokesperson from Slate Auto, the goal is to ensure the vehicle is repairable and customizable while meeting safety and crash standards.
If you’ve ever longed for a basic truck with manual windows and no infotainment system, now is the time to make a purchase.
The truck offers two battery pack options: a 57.2 kWh pack with rear-wheel drive and a range of 150 miles, and an 84.3 kWh pack with a range of 240 miles (386 km). Featuring a NACS charging port, the vehicle can charge to 80 percent in under 30 minutes, with a peak charging rate of 120 kW. It rides on 17-inch steel wheels and accelerates from zero to 60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 8 seconds, powered by a 201 hp (150 kW), 195 lb-ft (264 Nm) motor, reaching a top speed of 90 mph (145 km/h).
Manufactured in a single factory configuration, the Slate Truck will offer body wraps instead of various paint options. Instead of an integrated infotainment system, users will rely on their phones connected via USB or a dedicated tablet for entertainment and navigation. The truck is designed to achieve a 5-star crash rating and includes features such as active emergency braking, forward collision warning, and up to eight airbags.
(Source: Ars Technica)
