Manufacturing Company Slate Auto

Slate Auto: America’s Newest Affordable EV Truck Maker

If the auto industry had a reset button, Slate Auto might be the finger pressing it. Launched in 2022 and headquartered in Troy, Michigan, Slate Auto is taking a different road than your usual EV startup. With high-profile backing from names like Jeff Bezos and a laser focus on practicality, this newcomer plans to bring its debut model—the Slate Truck—to U.S. streets by late 2026. It’s not flashy. It’s not oversized. And it’s not priced out of reach. For once, a truck that’s actually made for working folks, first-time buyers, and hands-on tinkerers.

The Slate Truck: A Customizable EV With a Frunk and Function

Forget chrome trim and overengineered tech. The Slate Truck comes in one flavor: unpainted gray with crank windows, no infotainment, and two seats. But under that spartan skin lies a smart drivetrain. A 150 kW rear-wheel motor delivers 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque—enough to pull 1,000 lbs or haul 1,400 lbs without breaking a sweat. The base 52.7 kWh battery pushes 150 miles of range, while an optional 84.3 kWh pack bumps that up to 240. Top speed? 90 mph. Zero to sixty? Around 8 seconds. And thanks to a Tesla-style NACS port, a 30-minute fast charge gets you from 20 to 80%. Simplicity doesn’t mean sacrifice—it means you get exactly what you need.

Customization First: 100+ Accessories and DIY Support

Slate Auto doesn’t just hand you a truck—it gives you a blank canvas. With more than 100 modular accessories and a full SUV conversion kit, you can build what you need. Want a suspension upgrade? A vinyl wrap? How about rear seats and airbags to turn your truck into a five-seater? It’s all on the menu. Slate University, the brand’s digital tutorial hub, walks owners through DIY installs, making it part workshop, part maker space. It’s a dream setup for small businesses, tradespeople, and younger drivers craving personalization. This truck was made to be messed with—in a good way.

Manufacturing in America: Lean, Clean, and Domestic

Slate Auto’s playbook reads like a blueprint for the post-supply-chain-meltdown era. Most parts are sourced from U.S. suppliers. The vehicles will be built in a repurposed Indiana printing plant, creating up to 2,000 new jobs. CEO Chris Barman, a Chrysler veteran, leads a team that’s all about efficiency over ego. By focusing on a single model with modular options, they’re streamlining production and keeping prices low. No dealer markups, no bloat—just a truck that works. At $27,500 before incentives (and possibly under $20K with federal tax credits), it’s one of the most affordable EVs headed to production.

Minimalist by Design, Not by Accident

The Slate Truck strips things down to what matters. No touchscreen? Use your phone. No speakers? Bring your own Bluetooth. What you do get is a 7-cubic-foot frunk, standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, and enough simplicity to keep maintenance cheap and easy. It’s a throwback to an era when cars were machines, not rolling entertainment centers. That’s the charm—and the gamble. Not everyone’s going to love the no-frills approach. But for those who want a reliable, affordable EV with elbow room for creativity, this might be exactly what they’ve been waiting for.

Challenges Ahead: Range, Reputation, and Rivalry

Slate Auto is still in the pre-production phase, which means there are potholes ahead. The base range won’t satisfy long-haul drivers, and the lack of AWD limits appeal for rural or snow-heavy regions. Competitors like the Ford Maverick bring more doors and stronger towing. And without a full service network, Slate’s third-party model has to work flawlessly or risk frustration. But they’ve made smart early moves: refundable $50 deposits, transparency on specs, and grassroots marketing. If they can hit their 150,000 unit annual production goal and keep quality in check, this could be the truck that puts the electric pickup back in reach.