Slate Auto Pickup Review: The Modular EV Truck Americans Have Been Waiting For
Don’t be fooled by the small grey pickup sitting on the roof of a Los Angeles car park. It may look simple, but this is the first vehicle from an American startup called Slate Auto, and it is easily one of the most exciting electric vehicles to appear in years.
The Slate looks basic at first glance, but the entire idea is built around personalisation, modularity, and affordability. Everything starts from a single base truck, and then the owner can turn it into almost anything they want.
A Blank Slate You Can Transform
Every Slate comes in the same basic grey finish from the factory. There are no variants at launch, no trim levels, and no paint options. The company wanted the vehicle to be a true “blank slate”, and the customisation begins only after you get it home.
You can convert this pickup into different body styles:
SUV style
Fastback design
Open beach buggy
Multiple lifestyle configurations
All these kits fit on the back of the standard truck, and because they are supplied in IKEA-style flat packs, you can assemble them at home. The rear windscreen pops out, you slide the new kit into the rails, and clip the windscreen back if needed. No engineering degree required.
Why Modular Panels Matter
All panels are injection-moulded plastic
Simple screws hold everything together
Damaged parts can be swapped cheaply
Every panel is grey, which reduces paint shop cost
Slate says skipping a full paint shop saved them almost half a billion dollars
This approach makes Slate feel like Lego for grown-ups, only better because you get to drive it.
Exterior Dimensions and Design Philosophy
At 4.4 metres long, Slate is smaller and easier to drive than a Ford Ranger or Toyota Hilux. The design is intentionally simple and compact so that anyone can manoeuvre and park it comfortably.
Slate avoids the aggressive style found on large trucks. The design director is an ex-Volvo designer, and the focus has clearly been on accessibility rather than macho styling. Even sitting on the tailgate is easier for shorter people because of the lower height.
Who Is Behind Slate Auto?
Slate is based in Michigan, the heart of America’s car industry. The team includes former executives from Tesla, Volvo, and GM. But the big headline is the company’s major backer: Jeff Bezos.
The aim is to keep the vehicle under 25,000 dollars, making it one of the most affordable EVs in the United States, and certainly the cheapest electric pickup.
Why That Price Matters
Most electric trucks in the US are expensive
EV incentives are shrinking
Americans buy nearly 3 million pickups every year
A modular low-cost EV pickup fills a massive gap
Battery, Motor, and Range
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Standard Battery | 53 kWh |
| Standard Range | Around 150 miles |
| Long-range Battery | 84 kWh |
| Long-range Range | Around 240 miles |
| Charging (AC) | Up to 11 kW |
| DC Fast Charging | Up to 120 kW |
| Motor | Single motor, rear-wheel drive |
| Power | 200 hp |
| 0 to 60 mph | Around 8 seconds |
This is not a high-performance truck. It is designed for practicality, low running costs, and modular everyday use.
Payload and Practicality
Slate calls this a pickup light.
Payload is around 650 kg
That is less than a Ranger or a Cybertruck
Enough for lifestyle use: bikes, dogs, surfboards
Still useful as a small workhorse
Rear airbags are built into a roll cage that must be locked in before driving
The focus is clearly on real-world usage rather than commercial load carrying.
Endless Customisation: Colors, Wraps, Accessories
Slate has a configurator called the Slate Maker, where you can design your dream version with:
Wraps
Decals
Roof bars
Different bumpers
Fog lights
Interior accessories
One popular configuration is “jungle gem green” with a retro striped decal, and there are hundreds of combinations possible.
Interior: Simple, Old-School, and Refreshingly Easy
If you miss the days when cars were simple, the Slate interior will make you smile.
Manual window winders (electronic ones available as accessories)
Your phone becomes the infotainment system
A mount for an iPad is optional
Small driver display for basics like speed and gear
Basic seats with chunky foam
Everything else can be clipped on as accessories
It brings back the feeling of old-school cars without angry notifications or over-complicated screens.
Production Timeline and Factory Details
Production begins in autumn 2026
Factory is being built in Indiana
NMC battery cells will be supplied by a Korean manufacturer
US-based battery production will follow later
First customer deliveries expected by the end of 2026
With American manufacturing and a clever design, Slate hopes to avoid the fate of other startups like Fisker.
Final Thoughts: Why Slate Auto Feels Different
We have seen many American EV startups rise and fall. But Slate feels genuinely different because:
It is affordable
It is modular
It is fun
It is backed by Jeff Bezos
It is simple to use and simple to repair
The charm of the Slate is not in flashy tech or huge power figures. It is in the freedom to build the vehicle the way you want it. You choose the style, the accessories, the wraps, the roof bars, and the interior add-ons.
The Slate Maker configurator shows how limitless the customisation really is. Spend a few minutes on it and you’ll understand why this small grey pickup may become one of the most interesting EVs of 2026.
Slate Auto Pickup FAQ
What makes the Slate Auto pickup different from other electric trucks?
The Slate stands out because every unit starts as the same basic gray truck and you customize it from there. You can turn it into an SUV, a fastback, a beach buggy, or many other styles using simple interchangeable kits. Slate wanted this to be a true blank canvas so owners can personalize it with wraps, decals, and accessories.
Who is behind Slate Auto?
Slate Auto is an American startup based in Michigan. The team is made up of former Tesla, Volvo, and GM executives. The company is backed by Jeff Bezos, and that gives them both financial strength and industry credibility.
How long is the Slate pickup?
The Slate is 4.4 meters long, which makes it shorter than a Ford Ranger or Toyota Hilux. It is easier to maneuver and park because of its compact footprint.
How do the interchangeable body kits work?
The rear windscreen pops out and the new kit slides into the built-in runners. The windscreen clips back into place if needed. The kits arrive in flat packs so you can set them up at home without specialized tools. The idea is simplicity and flexibility.
What materials are used for the exterior panels?
The panels are injection molded plastic. They screw on, making them easy to replace if damaged. Keeping all panels the same gray color saves huge production cost because Slate does not need a paint shop. Wraps and decals allow owners to add their preferred style later.
What is the starting price of the Slate Auto pickup?
Slate is aiming for a price under 25,000 dollars. This makes it cheaper than most electric vehicles in the US and certainly cheaper than any electric pickup on sale today.
What are the battery options and driving ranges?
The standard battery is 53 kWh with a range of about 150 miles. There is also an 84 kWh option with a range of around 240 miles. Charging supports up to 11 kW on AC and up to 120 kW on DC fast charging.
How powerful is the Slate Auto pickup?
It uses a single rear motor that produces 200 horsepower. It can do zero to sixty in around 8 seconds. The power is modest but suits its role as a practical, everyday EV.
What is the payload capacity?
The payload is about 650 kilograms. It is lower than larger pickups but perfect for lifestyle use like carrying bikes, surfboards, dogs, and light work items.
Is the Slate pickup designed with accessibility in mind?
Yes. The design team includes women and former Volvo designers, and it shows in the ease of use. The tailgate height is friendly for shorter people and the cabin layout avoids unnecessary complexity.
How customizable is the Slate Auto pickup?
The Slate Maker configurator offers wraps, decals, bumpers, fog lights, roof bars, interior accessories, storage add-ons, and more. You can build anything from a clean minimalist truck to a retro styled version. No two Slate vehicles are expected to look the same.
What is the interior like?
The interior is simple and old school. Window winders are standard, while electronic windows are available as accessories. Your phone becomes the infotainment screen, and a small display provides essential information. Additional storage and color options can be added later.
When will the Slate Auto pickup go into production?
Production is planned to begin in autumn 2026. The factory is being built in Indiana, and the first customer units are expected by the end of 2026. The battery cells will initially come from a Korean supplier before shifting to a US plant later.
How is Slate Auto different from other EV startups?
Slate focuses on affordability, modularity, and simplicity. It avoids overbuilt tech and concentrates on giving owners the freedom to personalize the vehicle. With the financial support behind it, the company seems better placed than many earlier EV startups.
