Hi guys , so we've got our hands on the details for the Slate truck, and it's certainly a choice. Billed as a radically customizable and affordable electric pickup, Slate is a new American company aiming to simplify manufacturing and remove unnecessary content to cut costs and boost reliability. The CEO, Chris Barman, states their goal is to empower customers the auto industry has ignored.
This truck starts as a simplified two-seat EV pickup. From the factory, it's a single configuration. We're talking steel wheels on the outside and manual crank windows and HVAC knobs inside.
It offers a large frunk and a cargo area with a 4-ton 33-pound payload capacity. Towing capacity is listed at 1,000 pounds. The big selling point here is apparently unlimited personalization powered by DIY.
Slate says you can select from over 100 accessories available individually or bundled to make this blank Slate yours at purchase or over time. They even offer a flat-pack SUV kit accessory that supposedly turns the truck into a five-seat SUV with a roll cage, airbags, and a rear seat. You can apparently do this yourself or have it done for you.
Wrapping is another key customization area. Slate mentions three levels of vehicle wrapping to make personalization far more affordable. They claim you can wrap, unwrap, and rewrap for different looks.
They've even developed specific wrap kits and coach lines to make the process easier. Inside, they've skipped the integrated infotainment, opting instead for a universal phone mount with USB power. You can add a tablet if you want.
Their reasoning is that you should use the interface you already know. Let's talk specs. The standard battery pack is 52.7 kilowatt hours, powering a single 150 kilowatt or 201 horsepower rear wheel drive motor.
Torque is rated at 264 newton meters or 195 pound-feet. Slate targets a range of 150 miles with this pack. An accessory 84.3 kilowatt hour pack is available, targeting 240 miles of range.
Charging uses the Maxport. They claim a charge from 20 to 100 percent on level one AC. 3.6 kilowatts takes 11 hours.
Under five hours on level two AC, 11 kilowatts. And a fast charge from 20 to 80 percent on level three DC, 120 kilowatts, is under 30 minutes. Estimated zero to 60 miles per hour is around eight seconds with a top speed of 90 miles per hour.
Estimated combined city and highway efficiency is 96 mpg. Safety-wise, Slate is designed to achieve high safety ratings, including a goal of a US NCAP five-star rating. Features include active emergency braking, forward collision warning, and up to eight airbags.
Early crash tests are reportedly meeting or exceeding targets. Dimensions include a length of 174.6 inches, a wheelbase of 108.9 inches, a width of 70.6 inches without mirrors, and a height of 69.3 inches. Interior volume is listed as 55 cubic feet for the pickup and 80.5 cubic feet for the SUV.
Cargo volume is 7 cubic feet for the frunk, 37 cubic feet for the bed, and 34 cubic feet behind the seats in SUV configuration. Front suspension is McPherson strut, and the rear is a Didion axle with a coil spring. It rides on 17 by 7-inch steel wheels with 245-65R17 tires.
The bed is 60 inches long, extending to 81.6 inches with the tailgate down. Slate plans to manufacture the truck in a re-industrialized factory in the United States with a focus on an American supply chain. They're also implementing a direct-to-consumer sales model and building a nationwide service network.
The expected price is under $20,000 after potential federal incentives. It's important to note that the truck is currently in pre-production, and specifications and pricing are subject to change. What do you think of the Slate Truck? Let us know in the comments below.
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