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photo of Slate Truck The Slate Truck is an electric two-seater with 150 miles of range and no stereo. | Image: Slate Auto

Ask just about anybody, and they'll tell you that new cars are too expensive. In the wake of tariffs shaking the auto industry and with the Trump administration pledging to kill the federal EV incentive, that situation isn't looking to get better soon, especially for anyone wanting something battery-powered. Changing that overly spendy status quo is going to take something radical, and it's hard to get more radical than what Slate Auto has planned.

Meet the Slate Truck, a sub-$20,000 (after federal incentives) electric vehicle that enters production next year. It only seats two yet has a bed big enough to hold a sheet of plywood. It only does 150 miles on a charge, only comes in gray, and the only way to listen to music while driving is if you bring along your phone and a Bluetooth speaker. It is the bare minimum of what a modern car can be, and yet it's taken three years of development to get to this point.

But this is more than bargain-basement motoring. Slate is presenting its truck as minimalist design with DIY purpose, an attempt to not just go cheap but to create a new category of vehicle with a huge focus on personalization. That design also enables a low-cost approach to …

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[-] andrewth09@lemmy.world 33 points 4 days ago

Finally American competition for 30 y/o Japanese mini trucks.

[-] bunnyBoy@pawb.social 10 points 3 days ago

I want a Kei truck so bad. Problem is I don't really need a truck for anything, so I'm not gonna buy one just to drive around in, I just think they're neat.

[-] Panamalt@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 days ago

Chevy S10, Ford Courier, Dodge Dakota, GMC S15 . . .

. . . wait, half those are Japanese.

[-] Fiction@lemm.ee 3 points 4 days ago

It's owned by bezos.

[-] darkdemize@sh.itjust.works 47 points 4 days ago

I get cutting the infotainment crap, but not even am AM/FM radio with a couple of speakers? That would barely add anything to the cost.

[-] expatriado@lemmy.world 13 points 4 days ago

2 speakers, amp and an aux

[-] halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world 6 points 4 days ago

Strap a $20 Bluetooth speaker to the dash.

[-] Poppa_Mo@lemmy.world 5 points 4 days ago

Killed by a $20 missile in a wreck lol.

[-] pixxelkick@lemmy.world 9 points 4 days ago

Basically everyone has a bluetooth speaker and phone to go with it already.

I would much rather use that than am/fm radio tbh

[-] darkdemize@sh.itjust.works 17 points 4 days ago

Speak for yourself. I don't have a portable speaker because I have no need for one. I'd prefer a Bluetooth system in the vehicle, but at least something to have some tunes while driving would be easy to include.

[-] pixxelkick@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

I think the truck is setup you can buy and I stall your own.

Which I like cuz then I'm not tightly coupled to whatever shitty infotainment system the manufacturer baked in

Instead I can buy an aftermarket stereo if I desire, and pick out a good popular one that is well reviewed by enthusiasts.

[-] GorGor@startrek.website 5 points 4 days ago

I actually think it's better to go all in and eliminate it completely. More aftermarket options.

[-] lud@lemm.ee 4 points 4 days ago

If they included mounting and made it easy to mount your own speakers sure.

[-] paraphrand@lemmy.world 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

I am pretty sure there is a law requiring radios for emergency purposes.

Maybe they got an exemption?

[-] inclementimmigrant@lemmy.world 19 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Honestly, this is probably the EV truck I am looking for.

I don't live on a farm anymore but I still like to haul manure and mulch every year for my backyard garden, I need to haul wood for my wood working projects, and I don't feel like paying 80K for a POS suburban penis enhancer that can't haul shit.

I can deal with no stereo but damn that's sparse even for me.

[-] Foofighter@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 3 days ago

Not saying you're not sensible. This is a genuine question. The number of trucks I saw when I visited the US (twice) was insane. Wouldn't a trailer fulfill the same needs at a much lower price while being much more flexible in day to day use?

[-] inclementimmigrant@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

No, a trailer does not fit my use case.

Not really, no. When one or two of the legs of your daily commute requires bulk cargo handling, the added issue of "hitch up the trailer. Wait, where is the trailer? Okay, drive there, hitch it up, pull it here, then we'll go there. Maybe get gas before you get the trailer because it's a pain in the ass to do the gas station with a trailer hitched." Yeah no.

[-] Panamalt@sh.itjust.works 27 points 4 days ago

There is a very good reason we have tried to put basically every type of audio system in a car at least once. Driving in silence all the time fuckin sucks donkey balls, and bring-your-own phone/ speaker is a garbage solution, even for a truck that's barely more than a harbor freight special.

Otherwise, this is a pretty sick idea, and it might help solve some of the other more important problems the automotive industry has been having.

[-] TheDuffmaster@lemmy.world 14 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

I've installed a very good audio system in my car for $200, there's no way an extra $500 or so on top of the $20k was breaking the bank for consumers or the company. Really weird concession to make.

[-] Panamalt@sh.itjust.works 20 points 4 days ago

Honestly, $20k for something this barebones is reaaallly pushing it. The more I think about it, the more it feels like an $80 remaster of a 35 year old game with half the dlc missing. Maybe for $12-15k and a basic am/fm, and I'd be less irked.

[-] PolarKraken@sh.itjust.works 8 points 4 days ago

I had the same primary objection lol, you can leave the thing with a very minimal radio + speakers and thereby leave room for the buyer to add stuff themselves. But including zero inbuilt stereo at all just makes for a big project to have a normal-feeling ride. Solid yes from me until that, and then a definite no.

[-] piccolo@sh.itjust.works 4 points 4 days ago

I would pay extra to have "features" removed from modern cars.

[-] Panamalt@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 days ago

Doesn't that just mean the already rich assholes win?

You should pay for what your actually getting. If the vehicle has fewer features and less complexity, then it is necessarily cheaper and easier to produce (Both in mechanical and human labour.), and therefore the final product should also cost less for the consumer. Any dollar amount above that is used to improve the product in some way. Or, much more likely in this case, considering Bozo's involvement, is used to line the bloated pockets of executive clowns with more imaginary money than any human being can ever possibly conceive of spending ethically.

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[-] Evotech@lemmy.world 6 points 4 days ago

500 here 500 there. If the goal was to sell for sub 20k then…

[-] ProvableGecko@lemmy.world 5 points 4 days ago

Why can't techbros just be normal? WHY YOU MUST DISRUPT EVERY TIME JUST BE NORMAL!!1

This is why China is winning.

[-] PyroNeurosis 16 points 4 days ago

Further investigation shows Bezos to be backing the company. While it isn't Musk and he isn't in charge, I'm leery of this billionaire association.

[-] LaLuzDelSol@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago

You need someone with deep pockets to get a production line up and running. If not a tech titan it would just be a billionaire banker.

[-] dumples@midwest.social 14 points 4 days ago

I love this idea. It seems like it was designed for function and use over flash. If I needed something for occasional hauling and work on a property I would get this. I also see it as a "work truck" that businesses buy in bulk to keep the costs down. I would add in a radio and I love the lack of touchscreen

[-] Fiction@lemm.ee 7 points 4 days ago
[-] JandroDelSol@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago

aww damn, was grtting excited about this :(

[-] dumples@midwest.social 4 points 3 days ago

Almost everything is owned by a billionaire or has the company invested by one. I am not going to buy it because I don't need it

[-] Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works 5 points 3 days ago

Add a couple feet to that bed and you have yourself a sale...

[-] Numenor@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago

Keep your kinks to yourself please

[-] CPMSP@midwest.social 16 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

If they can scale this, it could be revolutionary. A perfect commuter and utility vehicle at a low price could capture a ton of share.

The addition of customization options and intention to have customers wrap their vehicle is utterly brilliant as well - I will be looking forward to hearing more!

[-] Someonelol@lemmy.dbzer0.com 13 points 4 days ago

Wow it uses crank powered windows in this day and age. The only real concern (besides the missing stereo) is if it spies on its owners like pretty much all other car manufacturers.

[-] Phunter@lemm.ee 6 points 4 days ago

Manual windows with cranks? Do you also have to hold the door handle up when you close it so it stays locked?

[-] andrewth09@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago

If there is spy/telemetry nonsense, I cannot see why it cannot be wrenched out of the car.

Most people don't remove their telemetry devices from their cars because they would lose functionality. This car has no functionality to lose.

If the telemetry is integrated with the car's main controller, I'm optimistic someone can crack it.

I wonder if I can run Doom.

I've seen compact pickups with 8 foot beds. That doesn't look like an 8 foot bed. I'm strongly doubting that's what the thing is going to look like.

[-] PyroNeurosis 1 points 3 days ago

Im pretty sure the website listed a 5' bed

hahaha okay yeah that's adorable but they do realize toddlers aren't allowed to buy road legal vehicles, right? Are they going to make one for adults?

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[-] irish_link@lemmy.world 7 points 4 days ago

I have always wanted a truck to take care of the DIY stuff and the lawn stuff. I have never like the giant ass trucks that are overkill for my use or a status symbol.

This seems like the right pick for me. Or else I need to get an old used one that I can’t be sure will last. Looking forward to what comes of this.

[-] applemao@lemmy.world 4 points 4 days ago

Perfect. Now make this 20 years ago....

That said, I'd buy one.

[-] bloup@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 4 days ago

if Trump is pledging to kill the federal EV incentive and this truck is an answer to it then the article should provide the price without incentives. But even if it’s just under $20,000 with incentives, I still feel like it’s unfortunately paying more for less at the moment. Although if there’s tariffs, it might actually be cheaper than literally anything else you could get so in that situation, why not?

[-] adarza@lemmy.ca 5 points 4 days ago

the vehicle is absolutely wonderful.

it's almost everything i'd want (and not want) in a 'car'.

[-] grue@lemmy.world 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Seems like a good upgrade from my 30-year-old Ford Ranger, if it's a 4x4. It's got about the same features, LOL

[-] sprittytinkles@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 days ago

According to Car and Driver, it's only 2WD. Such a pity. I won't buy a 2x4 pickup. That's my only deal breaker with this truck. Everything else can be added/modded.

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[-] VubDapple@lemmy.world 4 points 4 days ago

They'll sell a million of these

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[-] krelvar@lemmy.world 3 points 4 days ago

Reminds me of how they used to sell cj5 jeeps. Seats, doors, tops, heater, all optional.

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this post was submitted on 25 Apr 2025
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