The pursuit of cutting-edge technology has long defined the EV landscape, whether it be app and software integration, comfort features, or AI-powered technology as unique as FSD.
There has always been a counter-movement to the ongoing trend of technology, and leading that movement is Slate Auto. Slate recently announced the pricing for its highly modular EV, starting at just $24,950.
This price doesn’t include any additional fees, such as taxes, destination charges, documentation fees, or optional equipment, but it squeaks in just under the $25K line.
The Slate isn’t merely intended to be another cheap EV but is instead a rethinking of vehicle ownership, maintenance, and amenities. By stripping away all the excess, Slate is creating a platform that allows consumers to customize and modify to their heart’s content on a modern EV platform.
It also leads us to ask: What is the absolute minimum viable EV, and who is it built for?
Prices for Other Models
At its core, the Slate defies traditional vehicle classifications. The base model, the Blank Slate, is a pickup truck, but the platform is designed to be modular. Through specialized structural kits available from the Slate Shop, the vehicle can be converted into a traditional five-seat SUV, a fastback-styled SUV, or an Open-Air Truck.
While the Blank Slate commands the affordable $24,950 price tag, the SUV configuration starts at $29,950, with the fastback variant priced at $31,950. No pricing is available for the upcoming Open-Air variant quite yet, but it is a DIY kit, unlike the two SUV options.
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This modularity is the physical manifestation of the company’s ethos. Rather than forcing buyers into pre-defined trims, Slate allows owners to alter their vehicle’s form factor as their lifestyle or utilitarian needs evolve.
Every unit rolls off the assembly line sporting an identical, unpainted gray plastic exterior. If an owner wants a specific color, they must turn to the Slate accessory shop, where exterior finishes are applied exclusively via vinyl wraps.
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Specs: Acceptable, Not Exceptional
Slate built their platform to be affordable and moddable, focusing on practical utility rather than on the spec sheet. The Slate is powered by a 65kWh LFP battery pack, with an estimated 205 EPA miles of range.
A single rear-mounted motor generates a modest 181 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, achieving a respectable 0-60 of ~8 seconds. Slate has confirmed that the truck variant has a payload capacity of ~1550 lbs and a towing capacity of ~2000 lbs as well, landing it squarely in the light truck category for utility.
The 5-foot bed, with a volume of 35.1 cubic feet, is paired with a 7-cubic-foot frunk, providing a relatively large amount of space for a vehicle with a wheelbase of just 108.9 inches.
The Slate is equipped with a NACS connector on the rear driver’s side and can achieve a 20-80% charge in approximately 30 minutes at a DC fast charger. Slate’s utilization of LFP is a benefit for those who plan to use the light utility trucks as a workhorse. LFP batteries can be charged to 100% daily without significant degradation, and with its limited range, the Slate is best served as a local vehicle.
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Specs at a Glance
Metric
Specs
Battery
65 kWh LFP
Estimated Range
205 Miles (EPA estimated target)
Powertrain
Single-Motor RWD
Peak Output
181 HP / 195 lb-ft of torque
Acceleration
~8 seconds
Wheelbase
108.9 inches
Cargo Capacity
5-foot bed (35.1 cu ft) / Frunk (7.0 cu ft)
Payload / Towing
~1,550 lbs / ~2,000 lbs
Finalized, official specs are still not available, as the Slate has not undergone EPA testing quite yet.
Hardware-as-a-Service Accessory Model
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The most polarizing aspect of the Slate is its interior, or rather, lack thereof. While Tesla made minimalism famous across the industry, Slate pushes that even further.
The base configuration omits features that have been standard in the automotive industry for decades, including an infotainment system, built-in speakers, and even power windows. Instead, Slate has shifted these components into an extensive accessory ecosystem.
Owners must purchase items like optional speakers, climate control knobs, and door armrests directly from the Slate shop. Furthermore, the vehicle relies entirely on a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) philosophy. A smartphone mount is standard, while a tablet mount is optional, forcing the user’s personal device to act as the central command hub for media and navigation.
Even the telematics module required to connect the vehicle to a mobile app is a post-purchase add-on. This strategy allows Slate to achieve its sub-$25,000 headline price while generating high-margin revenue on the backend as owners piece together their ideal cabin experience.
Designed for Modularity
One of the biggest features of the Slate is its modularity. Many of the foundational components, such as the headlights and taillights, are off-the-shelf variants already widely available on the open market. The headlights, for example, are the standard off-the-shelf Jeep Wrangler headlights that are available for less than $500 each.
Slate also features a considerable amount of customizability across the interior and exterior of the vehicle, with the Slatelets for the dash and the grill plates and bumper options for the exterior.
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Slate also intends to publish a full batch of training videos, under the Slate University moniker, to allow customers to easily maintain, modify, or upgrade their own vehicles. Alongside that, a full library of 3D files will be made available alongside the first customer deliveries, enabling easy 3D printing or part production.
Tesla vs Slate
When placed alongside Tesla’s entry-level offerings, specifically the Model Y Standard and the Cybertruck All-Wheel Drive, the Slate serves an entirely different demographic. The Model Y is a masterclass in vertical integration, offering a seamless, software-defined ecosystem right out of the box. Buyers of the Model Y are paying for a complete, frictionless experience characterized by FSD, a world-class infotainment interface, and a highly refined cabin.
Similarly, the Cybertruck AWD, while structurally radical, is a high-performance technological marvel. It boasts steer-by-wire, an 800-volt architecture, and staggering acceleration. The Slate, conversely, is the anti-Cybertruck. It is aimed squarely at budget-conscious consumers, DIY enthusiasts, and fleet operators who view a vehicle strictly as a customizable tool.
While a fully outfitted Slate, equipped with an SUV conversion kit, a wrap, armrests, and audio accessories, will quickly push the final transaction price well past $30,000, the appeal lies in the choice. The Model Y Standard is a strong competitor at that price, but Slate is betting that a segment of the market is tired of paying for mandatory excess.
Whether this bare-bones, modular approach can achieve sustained volume production remains to be seen, but it undeniably injects a necessary dose of extreme utilitarianism into an increasingly luxury-focused EV market.
In addition, because the Slate just barely meets NHTSA safety requirements, at this point in time, the company only intends to sell within the United States. They have previously made clear that they do not intend to expand internationally except for Canada and Mexico.