Bezos-backed Slate Auto debuts analog EV pickup truck that is decidedly anti-Tesla

A new American electric vehicle called startup Slate Launched, and it is almost as anti-tesla as it gets.

It is affordable, deeply customized and very analog. It has manual Windows and it does not come up with any major infotinment screen. Heck, it’s not even drawn. It could Transformation From a two-seat pickup to SUV of five seats.

The three -year -old startup released his car during an event on Thursday night in Long Beach, California and promised that first trucks would be available under $ 20,000 for customers With Federal EV Tax Credit within the end of 2026.

The event comes after a few weeks TechCrunch published Details of Slate Auto Plan for Evi Bazaar, Detailed In India’s Trucks in India, and Enterprise are financially supported by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Chief Commercial Officer Jeremy Snyder said at the event, “The auto industry has been so focused on autonomy and technology in the vehicle, it is not only the most Americans can afford,” the chief commercial officer during the event said that EVS live was flowing here. “

CEO Chris Berman added, “We’re making affordable car that has long been promised but never provided.”

Glasses

The slate is not saying exactly how much his truck will spend – multiple sources have told TechCrunch over the past few weeks that the company has gone backwards in this number. And now and the end of the 2026 release can change a lot.

Agency Federal tax credit (it supplies that still exists next year) will start below $ 20,000. Interested buyers can keep $ 50 refundable reservations on the company’s website.

The base version of the slate truck will move 150 miles away in the 52.7kWh battery pack, which will give strength to a single 150 kW motor on the back axis. For people who are somewhat spread in this number, the slate is providing a larger battery pack that says it will be about 240 miles range. It will charge using a North American charging standard port, the standard Tesla has established that almost all the big automaker now uses.

The truck brings a 17-inch wheel and a five-foot bed and has 1,400 pound pay-load capacity with 1,000 pound twing capacity. Since it’s an EV, there is no engine in front. It has a front trunk (or frank) with 7 cubic feet of storage space, which the owner wants to fill it with ice for that telgate party, there is a drain.

That towing capacity is less capable of Ford F -150, and it is less than the small Ford Mavarick, which can be tied to about 1,500 pounds.

Talking about Ford Mavarick, the slate truck is small. The Slate Eve the wheelbase is 108.9 inches and the overall length is 174.6 inches. A 121.1 inch wheelbes and overall length 199.7 inches

Everything about the base version of the truck is horribly extra – and that’s the key. The slate is really making the idea of ​​a base model maximize and is set up to pay for customers to customize EV to their preferences.

Custom… everything

Slate is deeply committed to the concept of customization, which distinguishes it from any other EV startup (or Traditional Automaker).

The company said on Thursday that it would launch it with more than 100 different accessories that buyers could use the truck to personalize their preferences. If this is overwhelming, the slate has created many “starter packs” that interested buyers can choose.

The truck doesn’t even draw. Slate is playing the idea of ​​wraping his vehicles instead, some executives say they will sell on the kit. Buyers can either work for them, or wrap on themselves.

It not only adds the idea of ​​being able to personalize their vehicles, but it also cuts a huge expenditure center for the company. This means that no paint shop in the factory of the slate will allow it to spend less to go to the market, as well as avoid one of the heaviest controlled parts of vehicle production.

Slate tell customers that they provide the name of the car that is happy with the ability to buy embossed wrap for Tailgate. Otherwise, the truck is simply referred to as “blank slate”.

As TechCrunch has previously reported, the customization piece is central to how the company else expects the margin to make the margin of the relatively dirty vehicle.

However, it is also a part of the friendly pitch slate for customers.

Burman said on Thursday that people could “make the blank slate while buying you, or your needs and money may change over time.” It is billing add-on as “Easy DIY” that can deal with “non-gearheads” and say it will launch a suit of resources under the billing of Slate University.

“Buy your accessories, supply them quickly and Slate U, install them with the simple videos of our content hub,” read the website. “Don’t want to go on the DIY route? The slate authorized partner can do it for you.”

The primary customization library on the slate website is from effective to cosmetics. Buyers can add infotinment screens, speakers, roof racks, light cover and more.

Most significant is the options that allow the buyer’s truck to “convert” to “convert” to the Rumia SUV form. However, these are not permanent decisions. Slate says that people will be able to change their car and get back if they prefer – “No mechanical credentials are needed.”

Whatever the saying, the slate truck comes with some federally compulsory security features such as automatic emergency braking, airbag and a backup camera.

Up

The way to create a successful American automotive startup is bound with failure. Over the past few years, Canu, Fisker and Lordstown Motors have all filed for bankruptcy. And this is just a few naming. Companies that are still in the vicinity like Rivian and Lucid motors, are high-volume, more affordable models in an attempt to get the market in the market.

Slate is the total disaster of that method. It is following the first and most expensive EV, and is hopeful that the business will be implemented by complementing money from this deep customization play.

However, a lot like Rivian and lucid motors, it also has deep-pocket supporters. It has raised more than $ 111 million so far (the correct image is not yet universal). And excluding Bezos, Mark Walter, Googenheim Partners took money from the owner of the CEO and The La Dodzers, such as TechCrunch this month.

The company has appointed about 400 employees in the service to achieve all its ambitious goals and is currently trying to get more rent. The slate cannot logically choose a more unstable time for debut, but it has also concentrated on domestic production and can be heated from some unrest in the face of other startups and established automackers.

Burman said on Thursday, “We believe that vehicles should be affordable and desirable,” the slate truck adds further “is a vehicle that people actually love and be proud of themselves.”