Tag: Slate Auto

  • Electric Slate Truck Price Rises by $7,500

    Electric Slate Truck Price Rises by $7,500

    Key Takeaways

    1. Slate Auto announced an electric pickup that can transform into a two-door SUV, initially priced under $20,000.
    2. Production of the Slate truck is scheduled for 2026, but the $7,500 federal EV tax credit will expire in September 2025.
    3. The company has updated its expected price to the mid-$20,000 range due to the loss of the tax credit.
    4. Slate Auto faces challenges in reducing costs, as the current battery size and range limitations hinder further cuts.
    5. Despite challenges, Slate Auto received over 100,000 reservations in two weeks, but conversion to actual sales is uncertain without the tax incentive.

    A few months back, there was a big media push from Jeff Bezos’ Slate Auto, which promised an electric pickup that could easily change into a two-door SUV. The standout feature was its price, which was advertised to be under $20,000. However, that now seems quite unlikely due to a new legislation.

    Production Timeline

    The Slate truck is set to begin production in 2026, but that timing is unfortunate since the $7,500 tax credit will end in September 2025. The spending bill was signed into law by President Donald Trump in early July, effectively putting a stop to a federal incentive that aided many Americans in purchasing electric vehicles and allowed companies like Tesla and Rivian to become worth billions.

    Changes in Pricing

    In response, Slate Auto quickly updated its website, removing any mention of the federal EV tax credit. The new wording states, “Expected Price: Mid-Twenties.”

    While the fresh EV maker has not yet revealed the actual price of its electric pickup, it was aiming for a basic model to keep the starting cost in the mid-$20,000 range, which was supposed to drop below $20,000 with the tax credit in place.

    Challenges Ahead

    Slate will face challenges in reducing costs further. For example, cutting down the battery size isn’t a viable option as the entry-level 52.7 kWh battery already offers a rather lackluster range of 150 miles. Plus, the charging speed isn’t very impressive, maxing out at 120 kW. There’s also no center display to remove to save on costs.

    Despite these challenges, the EV startup claims to have garnered over 100,000 reservations within just two weeks. However, only time will tell how many of these reservations will convert into actual deliveries without the federal EV tax credit in play.

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  • Slate Auto Launches Affordable Modular Pickup EV Under $20K

    Slate Auto Launches Affordable Modular Pickup EV Under $20K

    Key Takeaways

    1. Slate Auto’s first electric pickup truck, ‘The Blank Slate,’ is designed for customization and affordability, priced under $20,000 after federal EV tax credits.
    2. The truck features a basic design with a 108.9-inch wheelbase, a five-foot bed, and a 52.7kWh battery offering a range of 150 miles, with an option for 240 miles with an extended battery.
    3. The Blank Slate lacks standard features like an infotainment system and automatic windows, but includes a charging mount for a phone.
    4. Buyers can personalize their vehicle with over 45 accessories and multiple color options, and it can be converted into different SUV styles.
    5. Slate Auto’s vehicles are designed in California and Michigan, with assembly happening in the Midwest.

    Slate Auto, a new electric vehicle company supported by Jeff Bezos, has launched its first pickup truck named ‘The Blank Slate.’ This name fits well for a simple EV that can be adjusted and converted into an SUV. According to the company’s statement, the pickup’s price will be under $20,000 in the US after applying the federal EV tax credit when it becomes available by late 2026. This price point makes it more affordable than any Tesla and offers much more customization.

    Showcase Event

    The truck was presented on April 24 in Long Beach, California, with the company indicating that the initial models will be available by the end of next year. Slate Auto’s concept for The Blank Slate is to provide buyers with just the basics while keeping the vehicle’s price low, but also enabling them to personalize it later on. The Blank Slate serves as a starting point, featuring a pickup truck design with a wheelbase of 108.9 inches, a five-foot bed that holds 35.1 cubic feet, a front trunk with 7 cubic feet, and a 52.7kWh battery that powers a single motor. It offers around 150 miles of driving range, although there is an optional extended-range battery that increases this to about 240 miles.

    Basic Features

    What it lacks are standard features like an infotainment system, automatic windows, speakers, and other elements usually seen as ‘basic’ in conventional vehicles. However, it does include a charging mount for a phone as a standard feature.

    This is where customization plays a role. Slate Auto provides over 45 accessories, with more to come in the future. There are numerous color choices available, which will be wraps instead of traditional paint jobs. Notably, The Blank Slate can be converted into a regular SUV, an open-air SUV, or a five-seat fastback SUV. While it remains a two-door model, there’s also an option to take off the doors. Buyers can add an infotainment screen, speakers, decals, a spare tire, tower racks, and more.

    Design and Assembly

    Vehicles from Slate Auto are created in California and Michigan, and they are assembled in the Midwest.

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    Slate Auto Launches Affordable Modular Pickup EV Under $20KSlate Auto Launches Affordable Modular Pickup EV Under $20KSlate Auto Launches Affordable Modular Pickup EV Under $20K
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