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"Anti-Tesla" Slate to Offer Sub-$20,000 Modular EVs
Low cost, highly customizable
Who would've guessed that U.S. automaking would turn into an expensive playground for billionaires? As Elon Musk's Tesla goes into decline, a startup called Slate—backed by Jeff Bezos—is betting they can find success by offering more basic, customizable and lower-cost EVs.
"This is the blank Slate," the company writes. "A vehicle in its essential form. We love it. Every detail is designed to make it less cluttered and more usable. If you love it too, great — don't change a thing. If the blank Slate isn't your thing, that's OK, too. The blank Slate is your canvas. You can wrap, accessorize and transform it to make it yours. We're focused on making that easy, not expensive."
Slate's ethos has led TechCrunch to refer to them as an "anti-Tesla" competitor. The company's base offering is an "under $20,000" tiny two-seater pickup that could've been designed by Muji. Here's how it stacks up, size-wise, to the Silverado EV, the car-like Ford Maverick and a 1985 Toyota (think Marty McFly's other ride).
"Basic" is the motto here: It has heat and air conditioning, but no power windows and no infotainment system. Instead of the latter, they offer a mount for a Bluetooth speaker and a phone or tablet.
The composite-clad vehicle comes in just one color—"slate gray," of course—with optional wrap kits being offered for $500. Customers can choose from a variety of colors for the wrap kits, and opt to have the vehicle wrapped at the factory or to do it themselves.
Customers can also order different types of SUV kits that, intriguingly, the company says can be user-installed at any time. In other words if you start out with the pickup configuration and decide you need more space, you can pick up and install an SUV kit down the line, adding bench seating for three in the rear.
The company says they'll post a series of "Slate University video tutorials" that demonstrate how to install the kits, the wraps and accessories like additional speakers. An additional motto of theirs is "We built it. You make it."
Shockingly for the price, the vehicle will reportedly be manufactured in America, specifically Indiana. While this will avoid tariffs, it's not clear how high American wages will jive with the too-good-to-be-true-sounding low retail price.
Here's the pitch:
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The company is taking pre-orders now and claims they'll begin production in 2026.
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that's the most exciting car announcement in decades - i sure hope they can pull it off and produce millions of them - a 21st century vw beetle
Backed by Bezos unfortunately but I think this is the EV we need. Cheap and utilitarian but also a bit of quirkiness. This actually reminds me of the original Scout. Also =, amazing they were able to keep it under wraps for so long. Think about all the rumors about the Apple car, how Dyson bragged he was going to revolutionize EVs. It's refreshing that this team kept this so quiet and then released what seems like a really well thought out product strategy!
Rear wheel drive only will be a deal-breaker for some....especially here in Minnesota. Let's hope for a 2.0 version with FWD!
My hope was on the Canoo which is now a smoking hole. Next choice is the Telo but price is too high & I'm worried about the lack of dealer/service infrastructure. I wanted the cabover form but the Slate looks like a safer bet. One thing I'm positive about is that I'm tired of dealing with ICE & lack of simplicity issues. I put my name in line. Hope they develop AWD.
I'm intrigued but firmly in believe it when I see it mode, especially with the stated price.
My understanding is that the 20,000 price is based on a 7,500 government incentive that may or may not survive the next few years. I truly love the idea of a basic pickup at a cheap price and think this would go well with fleet users
As Michael mentioned, it's unfortunate that it's funded by Bezos. These days, it feels almost impossible to avoid products backed by billionaires like him or Elon. That said, the fun and practical customization options are especially appealing to the younger generation. I really hope it makes it to market — I'd be first in line to buy one.
I'd totally buy this. I have a 2011 Mitsubishi Triton Ute with rubbish tray capacity and am currently looking to switch it for a 1985 Holden Jackaroo (AKA Izuzu Bighorn)
It's the Bronco II revival I've been waiting for.