Electric vehicle startup Slate Auto is scheduled to give a sneak peek at its upcoming electric truck at TechCrunch Disrupt later this month. CEO Chris Barman is expected to update on the realities of hardware innovation, supply chain complexity, and startup-scale production.
Slate Auto’s business model is built on radical simplicity and customization. The company plans to offer a base vehicle priced at $28K called the “Blank Slate,” a barebones EV with minimal standard features that starts off with manual windows, no radio, and a basic gray exterior but is upgradable and customizable. Customers can add features like infotainment, new interiors, or even conversion kits over time, transforming the truck into a five-passenger SUV. The modular approach model is aimed at democratizing EV ownership by keeping the entry price low and giving buyers the freedom to personalize their vehicles gradually.
Instead of expensive aluminum or steel stamping, Slate uses molded composite body panels that eliminate the need for a costly paint shop, reducing both environmental impact and capital intensity. Power is provided by a 150 kW rear-mounted motor paired with batteries from SK On, available in 52.7 and 84.3 kWh capacities that yield between 150 and 240 miles of range. Charging utilizes the NACS standard, aligning with most North American EVs.
The base version of the EV truck is expected to deliver 150 miles of range from a 52.7kWh battery pack. A larger battery pack will increase the driving range to an estimated 240 miles. The truck is on the smaller side, with a length of 174.6 inches and a width of 70.6 inches.
The company aims to deliver its first models near the end of 2026. Production is tentatively slated to begin in 2026 at the company’s Warsaw, Indiana plant. By late 2027 or early 2028, once production is in full swing, the company expects Slate will be churning out 150,000 vehicles annually
Slate Auto was founded in 2022 as part of Re:Build Manufacturing. Notable investors include Jeff Bezos, Mark Walter, the controlling owner of the LA Dodgers and CEO of Guggenheim Partners, and Thomas Tull, who is a lead investor of Re:Build Manufacturing. The Series A funding round brought in $111 million. Inspired by iconic vehicles like the Ford Model T and Volkswagen Beetle, Slate plans to enhance profitability through customization and accessories under the slogan “We built it. You make it”.
Slate Auto could be a future competitor in the electric truck market with Nissan (OTCPK:NSANY), Ford Motor (NYSE:F), Rivian Automotive (RIVN), Tesla (TSLA), and Chevrolet (NYSE:GM).