Slate Built an Electric Pickup for $24,950 That Buyers Can Make Their Own

This week, Slate Auto began collecting pre-orders for their highly anticipated electric pickup. The base two-seater model costs $24,950 before the destination fee(s). Production is ramping up at the assembly plant in Warsaw, Indiana, with customer deliveries scheduled in the fourth quarter of this year. The company now has over 180,000 reservations from consumers who have made previous deposits. Pre-orders now need a non-refundable $300 payment.

What arrives in those first trucks demonstrates a purposeful decision to reduce layers of complexity that drive up costs elsewhere. There is no large central touchscreen to greet the driver. There are no traditional factory radios or speakers. Windows utilize manual cranks to operate. A small digital cluster displays speed, range, and basic information, while a simple attachment secures a smartphone for navigation and enjoyment.

Air conditioning, power door locks, cruise control, and a rearview camera are all standard features. Everything else is optional and added by the owner. Slate claims that most people already have powerful computers in their pockets and do not need a second screen integrated into the dashboard. This method makes the car easy to build and own. It also opens up the possibility of something more exciting once the truck arrives at its destination.

Slate designed the entire vehicle to be easily modified. The factory finish on body panels is composite gray. Owners can select from over 100 vinyl wrap colors and patterns, with several options costing over $499. The wraps eliminate the need for a full paint shop on the production line, decreasing manufacturing costs and passing savings onto customers.

Beyond color, the web store offers over 200 accessories. Most cost less than $500. Roof racks, bed liners, lighting modifications, interior trim pieces, and audio systems are all bolted or clipped in place with common equipment. Slate provides free step-by-step guides as well as a video lesson library known as Slate U. A network of independent repair shops is ready for work that requires more than basic DIY skills.

The modularity extends beyond just bolting together parts. Buyers can modify the two-seat truck into a five-seat SUV with a kit that swaps body pieces and adds rear seats. The change costs about $5,000. The lineup also includes a fastback SUV body style with a higher starting price of approximately $31,950. As requirements change, a single core platform can support several configurations.