This morning, Slate Auto officially announced pricing for its Slate electric truck. Ars will have some time with a prototype later today, along with—hopefully—answers to many of our remaining questions. In the meantime, we decided to play around with Slate’s online configurator to see how much you might actually have to pay for one of these exciting new EVs. As expected, Slate has managed to achieve a sub-$25,000 starting price; if you ignore things like taxes or the as-yet unknown delivery charge, the Blank Slate pickup really does start at just $24,950.
The battery pack uses lithium iron phosphate cells, with 63 kWh useable energy (65 kWh gross) and a 181 hp (135 kW), 195 lb-ft (264 Nm) electric motor driving the rear wheels. In pickup configuration, with 17-inch steel wheels, the EPA range estimate is 205 miles (330 km). DC fast charging takes 30 minutes to charge from 20 to 80 percent at up to 120 kW via a NACS port, or four to 17 hours using AC, depending on whether you use a level 2 or simple wall socket.
Bare bones
And if you really want a bare-bones pickup, here is your chance. The first variant I mocked up this morning came in at just $25,289.97—plus pending taxes and fees—and that’s just because I spent a little over $300 on some decals to make the truck look like my favorite pair of sneakers.
As you go through each option on the configurator, a little icon tells you how easy or hard it should be to install that part yourself, what kind of tools you might need, and how long it might take. For the wraps, Slate points out that these can be a “big commitment for a DIYer. We’d recommend professional installation if you’re not sure you can tackle it.”
The work truck
For many people, a pickup truck exists solely as a work truck for tradespeople to carry tools and supplies to job sites. It needs only two doors, seating for two or maybe three if there’s a bench, and that’s it. And a no-nonsense work truck spec is possible at a sticker price still under $30,000. Below is one I made for $28,594.
It has some interior trim that the bare-bones pickup did without, and it sports a fetching purple wrap to match my unicorn-servicing business’s uniforms, which admittedly adds $499 to the bottom line. But the rest is purely functional: a structural floor liner for the bed, a toolbox, a locking tailgate, and some MOLLE webbing into which I can strap things. There’s a tow hitch—rated for up to 2,000 lbs (907 kg), with up to 1,550 lbs (703 kg) in the bed, and a $275 telematics module because I do want to be able to track this truck online. Without this telematics module, you can’t connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth.
The off-road brodozer
For my final pickup variant, I wanted to build something for adventuring, and my selections came in at a total of $32,923.64… plus whatever the lift kit ends up costing. Almost $8,000 in add-ons is a lot—much of the money went to the various exterior lights—and I probably could have kept going with some gear to help get unstuck from sand or mud. The all-terrain tires were a significant cost; upgrading from the stock 17-inch wheels will add at least $1,000 to your Slate.
A fun fastback
Two of Slate’s three alternative body styles are available. There’s the $29,950 Squareback SUV and the $31,950 Fastback SUV. Both add rear bench seats but stick with two doors. You also get a roll cage and extra airbags. My build ended up at $35,299.85, plus the usual caveats. This time, I went for a $799 wrap called Sub Lime that, like my first build, matches my favorite pair of sneakers. (I’m not a complicated man.) I also paid a bit more for some interesting front and rear lamp plates—alternatives that don’t look like murdered cartoon characters are available—and some interior trim like floor mats.
However, upon digging through the interior options, it seems that the ability to add electric window controls, which we believed would be possible, has not made the cut. If you buy a Slate, you will roll your own windows.
This SUV’s not for squares
Finally, I configured a Squareback SUV, which clocked in at $36,819.80. The full wrap costs $1,139.99, and I spent a similar amount on upgraded front and rear bumpers, as well as larger wheels on all-season tires. The rest of the options are mostly interior add-ons and storage, plus the telematics module and some in-car speakers, so up to four passengers and I don’t have to play “I Spy” the whole time we’re driving.
