New U.S. automaker Slate has introduced a customizable electric truck that could cost as little as $20,000 after applying the federal electric vehicle tax credit. The stripped-down two-seater has manual roll-down windows, no screens, and a 150-mile range.
“The definition of what’s affordable is broken,” Slate CEO Chris Barman said in a press release. “Slate exists to put the power back in the hands of customers who have been ignored by the auto industry. Slate is a radical truck platform so customizable that it can transform from a 2-seat pickup to a 5-seat SUV.”
The truck has distinctly European proportions.
Credit: Slate
Instead of a screen, the truck comes with a universal device holder.
Credit: Slate
Slate is leaning heavily on the EV’s customization options. Not only does a “flat-pack accessory SUV Kit [turn] the truck into a 5-seat SUV,” but customers can choose from “Three levels of vehicle wrapping,” interior accents, and over 100 accessories. Instead of high-tech bells and whistles, the Slate EV will feature crank windows and old-fashioned knobs on the dashboard.
Some of the different personalization options for the front grille.
Credit: Slate
Customers will be able to choose a variety of wraps to customize the electric truck.
Credit: Slate
Despite the distinctly European size of the petite EV, it’s a Made-in-America vehicle. The design also reminds us of Toyota’s compact pickup trucks, including the bare-bones $10,000 truck that’s gotten so much attention online. (It’s also giving old-school Land Rover vibes.)
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In so many ways, the Scout electric truck is the opposite of the Tesla Cybertruck, with its America-sized proportions, distinctly sci-fi aesthetic, and emphasis on the latest technology. Amid Elon Musk’s hard-right turn into politics, many Tesla drivers are reportedly ditching Tesla, and record numbers of Teslas are now on the resale market. Tesla reportedly had to stop accepting trade-ins for the Cybertruck altogether.
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Plus, now that Tesla has once again delayed production on its long-rumored affordable Model Y EV, there could be a gap in the market. So, for customers interested in a more-affordable electric vehicle, the Scout EV could be an attractive option. The first models could ship as soon as late 2026, according to Car and Driver, which puts the full price for the truck at $27,500.
According to the press release, the Scout EV will have a 1,400-pound payload. Some key specifications include:
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Motor: Single motor, RWD
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Top speed: 90 miles per hour
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Miles per gallon: 96 mpg
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Range: 150-240 miles
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Battery pack: 52.7-kWh battery pack, 150 kW
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Fast charging: Fast-charge to 80% at 120-kW in under 30 minutes
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Size: 174.6 inches length, 108.9 inches wheelbase, 70.6 inches width, 69.3 inches height
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Interior volume: 55 cubic feet
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Weight: Curb weight 3,602 pounds
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Max payload: 1,433 pounds
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Max towing: 1,000 pounds
Interested customers can pay $50 to register for early access to the new truck at the Slate website.
