Affordable Electric Truck SUV Bezos-Backed Slate $20K
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Affordable Electric Truck SUV | The radically affordable EV truck that transforms into an SUV is built for function, not flash.
Slate Auto, the innovative car company backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has officially unveiled a new affordable electric truck SUV—and it’s turning heads for all the right reasons. With a base price of just $20,000 after federal EV incentives, the all-electric vehicle combines simplicity, sustainability, and surprising flexibility.
Unlike many futuristic EVs flooding the market, Slate’s new model is refreshingly grounded. As TechCrunch describes it, the design is “anti-Tesla”—compact, utilitarian, and built with American practicality in mind.
Small Frame, Big Promise | Low-cost EV Truck
The entry-level model is a two-door pickup truck that morphs into a five-seat SUV. Measuring less than 15 feet in length, the truck is reminiscent of the classic 1985 Toyota pickup—purposeful and modest. At about two-thirds the size of the Chevy Silverado EV and slightly smaller than the Ford Maverick, Slate’s vehicle prioritizes functionality over flash.
Despite its compact size, it offers an impressive payload capacity of 1,400 pounds, nearly matching that of the Ford Maverick. This makes it an ideal choice for city driving, outdoor adventures, or everyday hauling—without breaking the bank.
Range & Charging | Budget-Friendly Electric Pickup
The standard model offers a 150-mile range per charge, with an optional long-range battery boosting it to 240 miles. This makes the vehicle perfect for daily commutes, weekend trips, and practical errands. It also meets the needs of eco-conscious consumers looking for an entry-level electric vehicle that doesn’t sacrifice range for price.
Radical Simplicity & Customization
The truck has no infotainment screen, no power windows, and zero excess. As the company puts it:
“A radically simple electric pickup truck that can change into whatever you need it to be—even an SUV.”
Built with modular components, it’s designed in California and Michigan, engineered in Michigan, and assembled in the Midwest—reportedly Indiana. The Slate Auto vehicle is meant to be reliable, customizable, and American-made, all at a fraction of the cost of other electric trucks.
Investors and Availability
Earlier this April, Slate Auto raised $111 million in funding from a powerhouse group that includes Jeff Bezos, Mark Walter (owner of the LA Dodgers), and Thomas Tull. A Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing listed Melinda Lewison, head of Bezos’ family office, as a Slate director.
While deliveries won’t begin until late 2026, reservations are now open for just $50, fully refundable.
Inclusive and Practical by Design
This isn’t just another flashy truck made for tech bros. Slate Auto is targeting everyday drivers, families, tradespeople, and adventure-seekers who want more for less. It offers clean energy transportation that’s accessible, inclusive, and built for American roads—not just Silicon Valley test tracks.
Final Thoughts
With its minimalist design, affordable pricing, and clever shape-shifting feature, the affordable electric truck SUV from Slate Auto may just change the future of personal transportation. It’s not just another EV—it’s an EV for everyone. | TechCrunch article on Slate Auto | Slate Auto official website
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