Slate's $20K made-in-America electric truck is the opposite of a Cybertruck
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.”
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.
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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.)
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.
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:
Motor: Single motor, RWD
Top speed: 90 miles per hour
Miles per gallon: 96 mpg
Range: 150-240 miles
Battery pack: 52.7-kWh battery pack, 150 kW
Fast charging: Fast-charge to 80% at 120-kW in under 30 minutes
Size: 174.6 inches length, 108.9 inches wheelbase, 70.6 inches width, 69.3 inches height
Interior volume: 55 cubic feet
Weight: Curb weight 3,602 pounds
Max payload: 1,433 pounds
Max towing: 1,000 pounds
Interested customers can pay $50 to register for early access to the new truck at the Slate website.
Topics Electric Vehicles
Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl.
Tim studied print journalism at the University of Southern California. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He's currently working on his second novel, a science-fiction book.
