Slate Auto surprised journalists with its preproduction electric truck that delivers more than initially promised. The base model now achieves 205 miles of range instead of the claimed 180 miles, while towing capacity doubled from 1,000 to 2,000 lbs. Pricing starts at $24,950, making it one of the most affordable electric pickups on the market.

The vehicle uses a 65 kWh LFP battery pack with single-motor rear-wheel drive producing 181 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration reaches 60 mph in eight seconds with a 90 mph top speed. Preproduction build quality impressed testers—there were no squeaks or hiccups during the brief passenger ride. The 205-mile range translates to 3.3 miles per kWh efficiency.

Charging peaks at 120 kW DC fast charging, achieving 20-80% in roughly 30 minutes. Level 2 AC charging at 11 kW fills the battery in four hours. Slate's modular approach lets owners add features post-purchase through their marketplace of over 200 accessories, most under $500. An SUV variant adds $5,000 to the base price.

Notably absent are modern amenities: no infotainment screen beyond the gauge cluster, no advanced driver assistance, and no built-in connectivity modem. Instead, Slate offers a companion app and 3,000+ Repair Pal locations for service. A 10-year/110,000-mile warranty covers the powertrain and battery.