The Bezos-Backed Slate Truck Debuts as an American-Made, Sub-$20k Minimalist EV Pickup

Say what you will about the latest price projections of automobiles that have been flooding news outlets as of late. But just like in any industry, limitations breed creativity and solutions. In the case of the brand-new (and Jeff Bezos-backed) EV startup Slate, those solutions display their creativity in a minimalist fashion…very minimalist. 

In the wake of the battery-powered revolution, this Michigan-based firm has debuted its very first vehicle, simply called the Slate Truck, and it costs about $20k after federal incentives. And, they’re planning to be built entirely in Indiana on U.S. soil.

RADICAL SIMPLICITY

Founded in 2022, Slate has been operating in stealth mode until now, unveiling its inaugural model set to deliver in late 2026 for the 2027 model year. From a design studio based in Long Beach, the eponymous Truck embraces the simplicity of a vehicle for the practical consumer but with the essentials still intact. Things like the infotainment screen, storage pockets in the doors, and power windows have all been left behind. Instead, you can open and close your windows with a manual crank. Don’t feel like it? You can turn the physical AC knobs in front of you instead. On the dash, you’ll see a small digital display for essential information and the legally required backup camera.

While the elimination of these “extras” is how Slate achieves its breakthrough price point, the brand also leverages its minimalism as a point of style. The exterior, which only comes in natural “slate” gray, sports an industrial look, with exposed “bolts” on the corners of the panel-like shell, with steel wheels shaving costs even further. Meanwhile, the pickup’s single-cab interior embraces the lack of complexities with a monochrome palette and natural metallic details on the dash.

TRANSFORMATIONAL MODULARITY

By standardizing production to a single configuration and stripping away everything non-essential, they’ve created what might be the first true “platform” vehicle of the electric era. And for those not satisfied with this blank canvas, the Truck can be viewed as a foundation for personalization.

Where the Slate Truck truly distinguishes itself isn’t what comes from the factory but what happens after you take delivery. The vehicle is designed from the ground up for limitless customization through more than 100 accessories at launch. You can, in fact, add power windows, speakers, or wrap the exterior in any color imaginable if you so choose. 

For more utility, larger wheels, roof racks, and bed accessories attach with simple Allen bolts. Most remarkably, flat-pack kits can transform the two-seat pickup into a five-seat SUV complete with additional airbags and a roll cage. This isn’t just bolt-on cosmetics but a fundamental transformation enabled by the Truck’s modular architecture and open-source approach to vehicle ownership. 

The company is even developing “Slate University,” an educational platform teaching owners DIY installation and customization. It’s the automotive equivalent of IKEA: simple, affordable base products that adapt to your needs, budget, and skill level.

PERFORMANCE PRAGMATISM

We’ve come this far without mentioning the powertrain, which is important here as well. The Slate Truck’s electrical architecture reflects the same focused pragmatism as its physical design. A single rear-mounted electric motor produces 201hp, pushing the compact truck to 60mph in about 8 seconds. The standard 52.7kWh battery delivers approximately 150 miles of range, with an optional 84.3kWh pack extending that to 240 miles. 

While these numbers won’t win bragging rights against 1,000-horsepower super trucks, they align perfectly with Slate’s practical philosophy. The truck rides on a sensible MacPherson strut front suspension paired with a surprisingly sophisticated De Dion rear axle (the same setup found in the Mercedes G-Wagen). The chassis balances a tight 174.6-inch overall length (shorter than a Honda Civic hatchback) with a usable 60-inch bed that extends to 81.6” with the tailgate down. Despite its diminutive footprint, the truck offers substantial utility with a 1,433-pound payload capacity and room for seven cubic feet of cargo in the front trunk.

What We Think

What makes the Slate Truck genuinely revolutionary isn’t its electric drivetrain or even its bargain price (although the MSRP is certainly the headline here) but the company’s willingness to challenge assumptions about what modern vehicles should be. In an industry obsessed with one-upping the competition’s feature lists, Slate refreshingly questions whether we actually need some of those comforts.

While undoubtedly too sparse for many buyers accustomed to modern amenities, its simplified approach could create an entirely new market segment for pragmatic, budget-conscious consumers who’ve been priced out of new vehicle ownership. Our only real concern lies with the ambitious timeframe. Even with backing from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and a leadership team stacked with industry veterans, bringing an entirely new vehicle to market by late 2026 presents significant challenges. The company has yet to announce manufacturing facilities or supplier partnerships critical to meeting their targeted price point. Nevertheless, if Slate can deliver on even 80% of their promises, they’ll have created something genuinely disruptive by putting customization in the hands of owners.

SPEC sheet

PRICING & AVAILABILITY

Expected to begin production in late 2026, the Slate Truck boasts an anticipated base price of $20,000 after federal tax incentives are applied (approximately $27,500 before incentives). Reservations are open now with a fully refundable $50 deposit through Slate’s website.

Recap

2027 Slate Truck EV

Shaking up the market in a big way, the inaugural Slate Truck will be a sub-$20k minimalist EV pickup that ditches features like power windows and infotainment.

Learn More: Slate