A new electric truck startup is testing a simple idea. More drivers may be willing to both go electric and ignore range concerns if the price finally feels realistic.
Slate Auto's upcoming pickup starts at $24,950, a price that stands out in a market where many new vehicles, electric or not, remain far more expensive.
Here's what to know
As Engadget reported, the company is aiming at buyers who will accept a stripped-down EV if it brings the cost down. The entry-level Blank Slate leaves out features like automatic windows and speakers, but it can be outfitted with more than 200 accessories and customization options.
That lower price is tied to a smaller battery. Slate estimates 205 miles of range from a 63-kilowatt-hour pack, which is below the roughly 280-to-450-mile figures many competing electric trucks offer.
Even so, the outlet noted the truck's capability is not especially sparse for a budget model. It uses a 135-kilowatt rear-mounted motor that makes 181 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, can tow 2,000 pounds, and reaches 60 mph in 8 seconds. Those numbers are similar to Ford's affordable hybrid truck, the Maverick.
Consumer Affairs says the average driver travels 37 miles per day, so a 205-mile range could cover several days of regular commuting before the next charge.
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More background
Sticker price remains a barrier for many shoppers. Even people interested in buying an electric vehicle often hesitate when they compare upfront costs.
Electric cars can make ownership cheaper over time, as drivers typically spend less on fuel than they would on gas. EVs also tend to require less routine maintenance because they have fewer moving parts, no oil changes, and reduced brake wear.
Range still matters for many buyers. Flexibility is important for road trips, long rural drives, or irregular schedules, even if daily driving is relatively short. A truck with 205 miles of range may feel limiting compared with rivals, especially for shoppers accustomed to filling a gas tank in minutes.
Other commenters on Engadget highlighted its LFP batteries and that it doesn't collect vehicle driver data as other selling points for Slate.
Overall, more affordable EVs could help expand adoption beyond luxury buyers. That could mean less tailpipe pollution in communities and a broader shift away from gas-powered vehicles, especially if automakers can show that a lower-cost model still meets most real-world driving needs.
What can be done?
The biggest question is whether a lower-range EV fits actual driving habits rather than worst-case scenarios. If most driving consists of commuting, errands, school drop-offs, and local weekend trips, a cheaper model may offer the strongest financial payoff.
Automakers also have a role to play by offering more trims that do not force buyers into oversized batteries and premium features. For some households, affordability may be the breakthrough feature.
Instead of chasing the longest range in the segment, Slate is betting that some buyers will prefer a smaller battery if it helps lower the monthly payment.
A commenter on Engadget praised the company's approach.
"Ultimately it doesn't have to compete on range," they wrote. "It's designed for a different market. Where logic is placed over emotion or 1% edge cases. You probably aren't going to road trip it and if you do it won't be often."
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