photo of Slate Truck The Slate Truck is an electric two-seater with 150 miles of range and no stereo. | Image: Slate Auto

Ask just about anybody, and they'll tell you that new cars are too expensive. In the wake of tariffs shaking the auto industry and with the Trump administration pledging to kill the federal EV incentive, that situation isn't looking to get better soon, especially for anyone wanting something battery-powered. Changing that overly spendy status quo is going to take something radical, and it's hard to get more radical than what Slate Auto has planned.

Meet the Slate Truck, a sub-$20,000 (after federal incentives) electric vehicle that enters production next year. It only seats two yet has a bed big enough to hold a sheet of plywood. It only does 150 miles on a charge, only comes in gray, and the only way to listen to music while driving is if you bring along your phone and a Bluetooth speaker. It is the bare minimum of what a modern car can be, and yet it's taken three years of development to get to this point.

But this is more than bargain-basement motoring. Slate is presenting its truck as minimalist design with DIY purpose, an attempt to not just go cheap but to create a new category of vehicle with a huge focus on personalization. That design also enables a low-cost approach to …

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[–] 47 points 2 years ago (11 children)

I get cutting the infotainment crap, but not even am AM/FM radio with a couple of speakers? That would barely add anything to the cost.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    Basically everyone has a bluetooth speaker and phone to go with it already.

    I would much rather use that than am/fm radio tbh

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  • [–] 34 points 2 years ago (3 children)

    Finally American competition for 30 y/o Japanese mini trucks.

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    [–] 25 points 2 years ago (15 children)

    There is a very good reason we have tried to put basically every type of audio system in a car at least once. Driving in silence all the time fuckin sucks donkey balls, and bring-your-own phone/ speaker is a garbage solution, even for a truck that's barely more than a harbor freight special.

    Otherwise, this is a pretty sick idea, and it might help solve some of the other more important problems the automotive industry has been having.

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  • [–] 14 points 2 years ago* (10 children)

    I've installed a very good audio system in my car for $200, there's no way an extra $500 or so on top of the $20k was breaking the bank for consumers or the company. Really weird concession to make.

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  • [–] 19 points 2 years ago (7 children)

    Honestly, $20k for something this barebones is reaaallly pushing it. The more I think about it, the more it feels like an $80 remaster of a 35 year old game with half the dlc missing. Maybe for $12-15k and a basic am/fm, and I'd be less irked.

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  • [–] 8 points 2 years ago

    I had the same primary objection lol, you can leave the thing with a very minimal radio + speakers and thereby leave room for the buyer to add stuff themselves. But including zero inbuilt stereo at all just makes for a big project to have a normal-feeling ride. Solid yes from me until that, and then a definite no.

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    [–] 19 points 2 years ago* (3 children)

    Honestly, this is probably the EV truck I am looking for.

    I don't live on a farm anymore but I still like to haul manure and mulch every year for my backyard garden, I need to haul wood for my wood working projects, and I don't feel like paying 80K for a POS suburban penis enhancer that can't haul shit.

    I can deal with no stereo but damn that's sparse even for me.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    Not saying you're not sensible. This is a genuine question. The number of trucks I saw when I visited the US (twice) was insane. Wouldn't a trailer fulfill the same needs at a much lower price while being much more flexible in day to day use?

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  • [–] 17 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

    If they can scale this, it could be revolutionary. A perfect commuter and utility vehicle at a low price could capture a ton of share.

    The addition of customization options and intention to have customers wrap their vehicle is utterly brilliant as well - I will be looking forward to hearing more!

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  • [–] 14 points 2 years ago (3 children)

    I love this idea. It seems like it was designed for function and use over flash. If I needed something for occasional hauling and work on a property I would get this. I also see it as a "work truck" that businesses buy in bulk to keep the costs down. I would add in a radio and I love the lack of touchscreen

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  • [–] 14 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Further investigation shows Bezos to be backing the company. While it isn't Musk and he isn't in charge, I'm leery of this billionaire association.

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  • [–] 14 points 2 years ago (7 children)

    Wow it uses crank powered windows in this day and age. The only real concern (besides the missing stereo) is if it spies on its owners like pretty much all other car manufacturers.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago

    If there is spy/telemetry nonsense, I cannot see why it cannot be wrenched out of the car.

    Most people don't remove their telemetry devices from their cars because they would lose functionality. This car has no functionality to lose.

    If the telemetry is integrated with the car's main controller, I'm optimistic someone can crack it.

    I wonder if I can run Doom.

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  • [–] 10 points 2 years ago (5 children)

    My 150 mile EV wagon already handles what I throw at it, but I'd kill for something a little more truck like without breaking the fuckin bank

    This.... This is high on the list now

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    [–] 8 points 2 years ago

    I have always wanted a truck to take care of the DIY stuff and the lawn stuff. I have never like the giant ass trucks that are overkill for my use or a status symbol.

    This seems like the right pick for me. Or else I need to get an old used one that I can’t be sure will last. Looking forward to what comes of this.

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  • [–] 7 points 2 years ago

    if Trump is pledging to kill the federal EV incentive and this truck is an answer to it then the article should provide the price without incentives. But even if it’s just under $20,000 with incentives, I still feel like it’s unfortunately paying more for less at the moment. Although if there’s tariffs, it might actually be cheaper than literally anything else you could get so in that situation, why not?

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  • [–] 5 points 2 years ago

    the vehicle is absolutely wonderful.

    it's almost everything i'd want (and not want) in a 'car'.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    They'll sell a million of these

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    [–] 4 points 2 years ago* (2 children)

    Seems like a good upgrade from my 30-year-old Ford Ranger, if it's a 4x4. It's got about the same features, LOL

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    [–] 4 points 2 years ago

    Perfect. Now make this 20 years ago....

    That said, I'd buy one.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago (4 children)

    I've seen compact pickups with 8 foot beds. That doesn't look like an 8 foot bed. I'm strongly doubting that's what the thing is going to look like.

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    [–] 4 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Add a couple feet to that bed and you have yourself a sale...

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  • [–] 3 points 2 years ago

    Reminds me of how they used to sell cj5 jeeps. Seats, doors, tops, heater, all optional.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago* (1 child)

    Aw man. I really like CarPlay just for directions but otherwise this is my dream EV. Although I prefer a car or SUV form factor personally nothing against a truck.

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    [–] 2 points 1 year ago

    Is there at least space to add a stereo and speakers or will I have to pull out the saws?

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