Slate Truck by Jeff Bezos: The $20K Electric Pickup That’s Shocking the Auto Industry

Slate Truck: Jeff Bezos-Backed EV Pickup Aims to Revolutionize the Auto Industry

The Slate Truck, backed by Jeff Bezos, starts under $20,000 and offers stunning features for budget EV fans. Find out why this affordable electric pickup is making headlines.

What if you could buy a rugged electric pickup truck for under $20,000 and customize it like a LEGO set? That dream is now reality with the Slate Truck, an all-new EV pickup from Michigan-based startup Slate Auto—a company backed by none other than Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Unveiled on April 24, 2025, in Long Beach, California, the Slate Truck takes a radically different approach to EVs. No flashy tech, no expensive paint jobs, and certainly no autopilot. Instead, it’s a back-to-basics, DIY-style truck that puts affordability and customization front and center. Here’s a full look at what makes the Slate Truck so revolutionary.

What Is the Slate Truck?

The Slate Truck is a two-seater, all-electric pickup designed to be simple, functional, and, most importantly, affordable. Its starting price is $27,500, but with U.S. federal tax credits, it can drop below $20,000—a price point unheard of in today’s EV market where average electric vehicles cost over $59,000.

But this isn’t your typical modern EV. Forget fancy dashboards or AI-powered driving features. The Slate Truck proudly offers:

Crank windows
Steel wheels
No infotainment system—just a smartphone mount and USB port
Unpainted gray body, ready for vinyl wraps

This stripped-down design isn’t about cutting corners—it’s a canvas for creativity. Slate Auto offers over 100 accessories, letting owners transform the vehicle into anything from an SUV to a trail-ready off-roader.

Inside Slate Auto: A Startup with Big Backers

Founded in 2022 under the umbrella of Re:Build Manufacturing, Slate Auto is based in Troy, Michigan, with a design studio in Long Beach and plans to manufacture in Indiana. With $111 million in funding from names like Jeff Bezos, Mark Walter (CEO of Guggenheim Partners and LA Dodgers owner), and billionaire Thomas Tull, Slate is well-backed to challenge industry norms.

According to Jeremy Snyder, a former Tesla executive and now Slate’s Chief Commercial Officer:

“The auto industry has focused so much on autonomy and tech that vehicles have become unaffordable. We want to change that.”

Slate has hired nearly 400 employees, pulling talent from legacy automakers like Ford, GM, Stellantis, Harley-Davidson, and even Amazon.

Key Features That Set the Slate Truck Apart

🔹 1. Ultra-Low Price Tag

At $27,500 (or under $20K with tax credits), the Slate Truck is among the cheapest EVs on the market. It directly addresses affordability—one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption.

🔹 2. Analog Overload

Instead of high-tech excess, the truck delivers:

Manual crank windows
Steel wheels
No stereo or screens
One gray color (wrap it however you like!)

This is a deliberate “anti-Tesla” move, offering rugged simplicity rather than over-the-top innovation.

🔹 3. Highly Customizable

Slate’s motto, “We Built It. You Make It,” is no gimmick. Owners can customize their ride with:

DIY vinyl wrap kits
SUV conversion kits (turns it into a 5-seater)
Bed caps, lift kits, and other modular add-ons
Embossed tailgates that let you name your own truck

You can install them yourself or have Slate do it for you.

🔹 4. Compact Yet Capable

The Slate Truck is about two feet shorter than a Ford Maverick and fits a full sheet of plywood in the bed. Key specs include:

Battery Options: 52.7 kWh (150-mile range) or 84.3 kWh (240-mile range)
Seating: Two seats (base), five with SUV kit
Towing Capacity: 1,000 lbs
Curb Weight: 3,602 lbs

🔹 5. Built in America

Slate will manufacture the trucks in Indiana with a largely U.S.-based supply chain. This not only supports American jobs but also helps the company dodge new 25% import tariffs imposed in 2025.

How Slate Keeps It So Affordable

Slate’s low pricing isn’t magic—it’s a smart, streamlined strategy:

No Paint Shop: Paint shops are expensive and highly regulated. Slate skips them and offers vinyl wrap kits instead.
Plastic Body Panels: The use of injection-molded plastic cuts production costs and eliminates the need for massive metal-stamping facilities.
Single Trim Strategy: Slate produces just one model with one base trim. All upgrades are optional add-ons.
Accessory-Driven Profit: Like Jeep or Harley-Davidson, Slate aims to earn higher margins through accessories—not the base vehicle.

The “Anti-Tesla” EV

While Tesla pushes boundaries with tech-heavy designs and autonomous features, the Slate Truck is its polar opposite. CEO Chris Barman described it as:

“Like a toy potato head—you build what you want.”

This strategy appeals to people who want functionality and personality over luxury and automation.

Jeff Bezos: The Money Behind the Mission

Though Jeff Bezos hasn’t taken a front-facing role, his financial support through Bezos Expeditions has fueled Slate’s rapid growth. His involvement, alongside other major backers, adds credibility and investor confidence—especially after his prior success with Rivian.

Why the Slate Truck Matters

✅ Solves EV Affordability

With a sub-$20K price, Slate directly addresses a key pain point for American EV buyers.

✅ Promotes Personalization

Slate’s custom kits turn truck ownership into a creative experience, unlike anything else on the market.

✅ Supports U.S. Manufacturing

Domestic production brings jobs back home and strengthens supply chain resilience.

✅ A New Kind of EV Thinking

No-frills, analog, and endlessly adaptable—the Slate Truck is redefining what an EV can be.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the buzz, Slate Auto must overcome several hurdles:

Stiff Competition: From Tesla to Rivian and Ford, the EV market is crowded.
Economic Risks: Rising costs and global instability could threaten margins.
Skepticism: Critics have likened it to “vaporware,” referencing past automotive flops.
Range Anxiety: 150 miles may not cut it for all users—though the 240-mile upgrade helps.

Final Thoughts

The Slate Truck isn’t just another EV—it’s a bold vision for how electric vehicles can be affordable, accessible, and fun. With the backing of Jeff Bezos and a fresh take on design and manufacturing, Slate Auto could very well shake up the auto industry.

Time will tell if this “blank slate” becomes the next big thing in American transportation. But one thing’s for sure: it’s already got everyone talking.

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