Slate Truck cuts price by letting drivers supply their own tech
The Slate Truck, marketed as the cheapest U.S. pickup, replaces a factory screen with a driver-provided smartphone and starts at $24,950, rising to $46,493 with optional accessories.
Slate, a Jeff Bezos-backed electric-vehicle startup, is promoting its Slate Truck as the most affordable pickup in America by eliminating a factory-installed infotainment system. The cabin is designed to hold the driver’s own smartphone or tablet, supported by a built-in mount, USB connection and a modest 4-inch LCD that activates only when the vehicle is in reverse to satisfy backup-camera laws. Three body styles are available—a standard two-seat pickup, a fully enclosed SUV, and a fastback—and an optional open-air kit adds a removable roof and extra seating.
The entry-level "Blank Slate" starts at $24,950; fully loaded configurations can climb to $46,493, depending on add-ons such as speaker mounts ($149.99-$249.99), a Bluetooth steering-wheel button, and a $275 subscription-based telematics module for remote door unlocking and battery pre-conditioning. While the low base price undercuts all conventional pickups, the final cost varies widely with the buyer’s chosen accessories, reflecting Slate’s “Spirit Airlines of EVs” strategy of low upfront cost and optional upgrades.
Why it matters
It illustrates a new pricing model for EVs that shifts technology costs to consumers, potentially expanding affordable electric truck options.
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