Bezos backed company coming out with no-frills EV truck

Summary

Affordable EV launch

Slate Auto, backed by Jeff Bezos, has launched a customizable electric vehicle (EV) priced at $27,500, which can drop to $20,000 with government tax credits.

Vehicle details

The Slate pickup truck features a simple boxy design, two seats, a compact truck bed, and minimalistic interior devoid of fancy technology.

Customization options

Customers can add features like screens and speakers for an additional cost, with the vehicle culture promoting individual customization.

Slate Auto, an electric vehicle company partially funded by Jeff Bezos, has unveiled its first customizable EV. — Image credit: Slate Auto

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Summary

Affordable EV launch

Slate Auto, backed by Jeff Bezos, has launched a customizable electric vehicle (EV) priced at $27,500, which can drop to $20,000 with government tax credits.

Vehicle details

The Slate pickup truck features a simple boxy design, two seats, a compact truck bed, and minimalistic interior devoid of fancy technology.

Customization options

Customers can add features like screens and speakers for an additional cost, with the vehicle culture promoting individual customization.

Full story

An automotive startup backed by one of the world’s wealthiest individuals has launched an affordable alternative for purchasing new vehicles. Slate Auto, an electric vehicle company partially funded by Jeff Bezos, has unveiled its first customizable electric vehicle (EV).

What does Slate Auto’s new EV look like?

Slate Auto’s new EV features a boxy design that Engadget describes as a “Kei-like truck,” referring to a compact, lightweight vehicle with minimal features. The company offers basic, stripped-down vehicle models that customers can customize. Slate Auto referred to it as a “plug and play.”

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The Slate pickup truck has two seats, a truck bed roughly the size of a piece of plywood, a plastic body panel and a single color: grey. In comparison, it measures about two feet shorter than the shortest Ford truck, the Maverick, introduced in 2022.

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A promotional video, released by Slate, actually promotes what the Slate Pickup lacks. It boasts no fancy screens, colored seats, cooled seats, self-driving capabilities, self-parking features or even automatic cup holders.

The vehicle does not have a stereo or touchscreen display on the dashboard. Instead, it includes a phone mount and a USB port.

How much does it cost?

Slate Auto listed the EV for sale at $27,500. With a government tax credit for purchasing an electric vehicle, the price drops to an even $20,000, which the company told ABC News is a “radically affordable and customizable vehicle.”

In comparison, Cox Automotive reported that the average price for an electric vehicle in March was slightly more than $59,000.

Can a customer add-on certain features?

While Slate Auto emphasized the EV’s simplicity, the company offers customers a chance to add on amenities. This includes components like screens, open-air kits, speakers and a spare tire holder, all of which can be wrapped in any color. Additionally, customers also have the option to purchase an accessory that converts the vehicle into an SUV.

The added features raise the price by about $10,000.

The company motto is “We built it, you make it.” CEO Chris Barman said in the video that it’s customizable like a toy potato head. In other words, once you have the main body, you can add the parts.

Slate Auto announced that vehicle production will begin in late 2026.

Shianne DeLeon (Video Editor) contributed to this report.

Tags: Electric vehicles, EV, Jeff Bezos

[CRAIG NIGRELLI]

Perhaps you’ve heard of a no frills supermarket ? Well if you are shopping for a new truck and are in the market for an electric vehicle at the same time, a company backed by one of the richest men, has come out with an inexpensive option. Jeff Bezos’s Slate Auto has unveiled
its first EV pickup.
It has a boxy exterior that engadget calls a Kei-like truck, meaning a small lightweight vehicle with very few features. In other words, a base or bare bones model. The company calls it a “plug and play”.
The Slate Pickup has two seats, a truck bed about the size of a piece of plywood, body panels made of plastic and one color, grey. By comparison it is about two feet shorter than the Ford truck, known as the Maverick.
The good news is there appears to be less chance of distracted driving than your typical truck. There is no stereo or touchscreen up front, just a phone mount and USB port. The list price is $27,500 that, with a government tax credit for buying an electric vehicle, brings the price down to an even $20,000 or what the company told ABC News is a “ radically affordable and customizable vehicle. “ By comparison, Cox Automotive says the average price for an electric vehicle in March was a bit more than $59,000.
A promotional video, released by Slate, actually promotes what the Slate Pickup does **not** have. It boasts no fancy screens, colored seats, cooled seats, self driving, self parking or even automatic cup holders.
However, Slate, like a restaurant menu, offers customers a chance to add-on amenities such as screens, open air kits, speakers, a spare tire holder and you can wrap it in any color. Here’s another catch or attraction, you can buy an accessory that turns it into an SUV.
The added features will raise the price by about $10,000.
And the motto is “We built it, you make it “ or as CEO Chris Barman says in the video, it’s like a potato head, as in Mr. Potato Head, the children’s toy. In other words, once you have the main body, then you can…add the parts.
Production of the Slate Pickup is set to begin in late 2026.

Why this story matters

The unveiling of Slate Auto's inexpensive electric pickup truck represents a significant shift towards making electric vehicles more accessible to the average consumer.

Affordability

The Slate Truck is set to be sold for under $20,000, significantly lower than the average EV, thereby democratizing access to electric vehicle technology.

Customization

With over 100 accessories available, the truck allows buyers to personalize their vehicle, encouraging consumer engagement and innovation in the EV market.

Simplicity

The minimalist design and basic features promote practicality and ease of use, catering to consumers seeking functional vehicles without unnecessary technological complexity.

Get the big picture

Synthesized coverage insights across 18 media outlets

Common ground

Both the left and center articles emphasize the affordability of the Slate Truck, highlighting its expected price of under $20,000 after federal incentives. They also note its design focused on simplicity and customization, differentiating it from luxury EV offerings like Tesla's products. The articles indicate a potential to cater to a market that values practicality over bells and whistles.

Community reaction

Local communities, particularly those seeking affordable transport solutions, have shown enthusiasm for the Slate Truck, as evidenced by over 30,000 pre-orders in just the first week. Enthusiasts value its customizable features, aligning with DIY culture, while local small businesses see potential for low-cost delivery options.

Diverging views

The left-leaning articles generally emphasize Slate Auto's potential to disrupt the electric vehicle (EV) market by making affordable, customizable EVs accessible to a broader audience. In contrast, right-leaning perspectives are more skeptical about Slate's practical impact on the market and question whether such a low-cost model will succeed against established competitors.

Sources

Media landscape

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18 total sources

Key points from the Left

Slate Auto, a startup backed by Jeff Bezos, aims to sell an electric truck for under $20,000 with federal incentives in late 2026, focusing on affordability and customizability.
The truck features two battery options, providing a range of 150 miles and 240 miles respectively.
Slate Auto aims to produce the truck in the U.S., emphasizing commitments to re-industrialization and offering a variety of over 100 accessories.
The compact truck features a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds, a curb weight of 3,602 pounds, and a design that facilitates easy customization.

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No coverage from Far Left sources 0 sources
No coverage from Left sources 0 sources
See Hide headlines from Lean Left sources 6 sources

Key points from the Center

Slate Auto revealed its new electric truck during an event in Long Beach, California, on Thursday.
The three-year-old American company focuses on bringing affordable and customizable vehicles to market.
The truck features a bare-bones design including components like crank windows and steel wheels.
Slate states the electric truck will start under $20,000 after applying federal tax credits.
Slate plans to manufacture the vehicle in the Midwest and deliver initial trucks by late 2026.

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