Electric vehicles account for under 10% of new car sales in the US, and that number is falling. Slate Auto aims to change this with a radically simple, affordable electric truck. The Slate is a compact two-door pickup, shorter than a Honda Civic, with a base price under $25,000. It features hand-crank windows and a modest 205-mile range, a deliberate departure from the industry's focus on long-range, feature-laden EVs.

This strategy contrasts sharply with the Ford F-150 Lightning, which was discontinued in December 2025 after price hikes and reduced federal incentives. The Lightning's large battery, needed for its 300-mile range, drove costs up to over $54,000. Slate argues that most Americans drive under 35 miles daily, making extensive range unnecessary. The company cites data showing EV drivers use less than 20% of their battery on a typical day.

Slate's approach mirrors successful low-cost EVs in China, where average range is 247 miles and EVs make up half of new sales. With a factory planned for 100,000 units in its first year, Slate has already received thousands of preorders. Investors, including Jeff Bezos, are backing the venture, betting that affordability will finally spur mass EV adoption in the US.