Slate Auto, a Jeff Bezos-backed EV startup that wishes to launch a sub-$30,000 mini-truck, is totally rolling in cash and reservations proper now. Round 100,000 prospects have already laid down reservations at $50 a pop, and the corporate has already raised $700 million in financing. In an announcement, a spokesperson for the corporate says “America has proven that it desires what we’re making.” I might must agree with that sentiment.
Slate, which is concentrating on a late-2026 manufacturing time, says its largest backers have been Bezos Expeditions, Basic Catalyst and TWG World. Basic Catalyst has invested in manufacturers like Airbnb and Snapchat, whereas TWG has holdings in entities just like the LA Dodgers and Cadillac’s System 1 Group.
The corporate’s CEO, Chris Barman, is a former engineering vp at Fiat Chrysler. Different higher-ups have loads of business expertise in their very own proper, with of us from different EV truck startups like Rivian. Here is just a little refresher on what Slate is all about. From Automotive Information:
Slate plans to promote one primary car configuration and supply an extended listing of equipment designed for do-it-yourself set up. The choices to personalize the bottom car are in depth, right down to colourful decals.
The bottom “Clean Slate” is a rear-wheel-drive pickup related in measurement to the subcompact Subaru Crosstrek. It has plastic physique panels with no paint, comes and not using a radio and presents an estimated 150 miles of vary, Slate stated.
As a part of the reservation course of, Slate collects $50 and asks whether or not the customer is all in favour of an “SUV Package,” which is actually a camper shell with three passenger seats, seat belts, airbags and a roll bar.
Slate additionally asks prospects about their curiosity in an non-compulsory battery with round 240 miles of vary. Slate hasn’t given costs for the upgrades past the estimated beginning price for a DIY physique wrap at about $500.
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For infotainment, Slate stated house owners can use their smartphones or set up a pill. The cellphone mount is customary and the pill mount is non-compulsory. The truck would not include any screens however does supply a cellphone app.
After federal EV incentives, the bottom pickup is meant to price underneath $20,000. If and when Republicans kill that supply, the truck is robotically going to price $7,500 extra. From there, a truck this primary turns into a little bit of a worth concern. You simply don’t get very a lot to your cash with a two-door primary truck with 150 miles of vary when it prices practically $30,000.
I suppose we’ll simply have to carry out hope that costs will actually be as little as they’re saying and watch for extra official bulletins as a theoretical manufacturing begin will get nearer. I feel 100,000 reservations converse for themselves in terms of the joy round this truck. Let’s hope Slate can ship.
