The North American automotive sector has just gained a new player. It is Slate, a start-up backed by Jeff Bezos, the strongman of Amazon, which has now unveiled its first vehicle, an affordable electric pickup truck.
The Truck is the debut model, featuring a retro look with clean surfaces and functional design details, with the brand making it clear that the two-seater model was designed to keep production costs controlled and to contribute to the transition to electric mobility in the U.S.
With a highly customizable platform and a wide range of accessories, Slate’s debut pickup can transform into a two-seater model or a five-seater SUV.
This simplicity in production is aided by a body constructed from panels made of composite materials, along with steel wheels, manually opening windows, and physical switches inside. As for the infotainment system, the driver will need to use a smartphone, for which there is a mount instead of a central screen.
The Truck is equipped with a single electric motor producing 204 hp and 264 Nm of torque, installed on the rear axle, powered by a 52.7 kWh battery. Slate claims that this model aims for a range of 240 km. If that is not enough, there is an 84.3 kWh battery that allows for an extended range of up to 385 km.
Slate, which is already accepting orders for its pickup, has made it clear that the Truck will be produced in the USA and will be priced below $20,000, which is about €17,600.
