Make / Model Search
Future models - Slate AutoSlate micro truck looks to shake up BEV marketBezos-backed brand Slate Auto bursts onto scene with circa-$30K electric micro truck26 May 2025 THE number of electric vehicle options continues to grow, despite declining growth in demand and buyers opt for middle-ground hybrid models – but a bare-bones, cut-price micro truck-meets-wagon plans to shake up the budget end of the market.
Slate Auto, a US-based automotive startup backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has taken the internet by storm, revealing details of its modular micro truck that is pitched to land at less than US$20,000 (AUD$30,000).
The company plans offer the micro truck at such a compelling price by going back to basics.
Rather than the typical smartphone-on-wheels approach, with many existing brands positioning their electric models above internal combustion and even plug-in hybrid equivalents, Slate is flipping the paradigm.
The company is doing away with lavish luxury, over-the-top infotainment and even electric windows, instead offering a pared-back base upon which buyers can build.
A highly modular “Blank Slate” – which can be reserved (or pre-ordered) for $50 in the US – will enable buyers to build their own dream vehicle, choosing from a catalogue of more than 100 accessories, adding additional seats, a roll cage, phone or tablet mounts and more.
Powering the model will be a single 150kW/264Nm electric motor, fed by either a standard 57.7kWh battery offering a projected range of 241km, or a larger 84.3kWh unit offering 386km of range.
The maximum DC charging rate is 120kW, allowing a 20 to 80 per cent top-up in under 30 minutes.
Weighing in at a somewhat modest 1634kg (albeit in Blank Slate trim) it will not be slow, capable of reaching 60mph (96km/h) in 8.0-seconds with a top-speed of 144km/h according to Slate.
Exactly how basic is the Blank Slate? It has two seats, steel wheels, wrapped (not painted) exterior, hand-crank windows, and the interior is devoid of screens with just three HVAC dials adorning the otherwise almost blank dash.
Amazingly, the “flat-pack” accessory kits are marketed as “do it yourself” but the company also suggests they can be fitted by a workshop – hinting at the plug-and-play nature of the modular platform.
Whether a two-seat ute, five-seat wagon or drop-top and door-less Wrangler-esque beach buggy, the Slate appears to be limited only by the imagination of buyers based on images shared by the company.
One thing the simple truck doesn’t skimp on is safety, scoring active and passive features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, traction and stability control, auto high beam, reversing camera, and eight airbags.
In terms of its capability as a working utility, Slate quotes a maximum payload of around 635kg and a towing capacity of around 453kg, while its tray offers a length of 1524mm and volume of around one cubic metre.
These are impressive figures given its compact size, at just 4434mm long, 1793mm wide and with a wheelbase of just 2766mm – making it only marginally larger than a Toyota Yaris Cross for perspective.
“The definition of what’s affordable is broken,” said Slate chief executive Chris Barman.
“Slate exists to put the power back in the hands of customers who have been ignored by the auto industry.”
Whether the Slate truck will come to Australia is anyone’s guess, but the company has expressed interest in eventually selling the micro truck outside of North America.
Stringent Australian Design Rules (ADRs) and a local appetite for full-size utes mean this market is unlikely to be Slate’s first export pick, not to mention the fact it is unknown as to whether a right-hand drive model is planned.
What we do know is that it represents a return to simple, no-frills motoring.  Read more21st of May 2025  Honda to slash BEV budgetJapanese manufacturer Honda to shift focus towards hybrid models, helping it cut costsAll future models Alfa Romeo Abarth Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chrysler Chevrolet Dodge Citroen Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton Haval Great Wall Honda Holden Hyundai HSV Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia Lexus Land Rover Mazda Maserati Mercedes-Benz McLaren Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Saab Rolls-Royce Smart Skoda Subaru SsangYong Tesla Suzuki Volkswagen Toyota VolvoMotor industry news GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events. |
Click to shareSlate Auto modelsAll future modelsAlfa RomeoAbarthAudiAston MartinBMWBentleyChryslerChevroletDodgeCitroenFerrariDSFordFiatFPVFotonHavalGreat WallHondaHoldenHyundaiHSVIsuzuInfinitiJeepJaguarLamborghiniKiaLexusLand RoverMazdaMaseratiMercedes-BenzMcLarenMiniMGNissanMitsubishiPeugeotOpelProtonPorscheRenaultRamSaabRolls-RoyceSmartSkodaSubaruSsangYongTeslaSuzukiVolkswagenToyotaVolvoMotor industry newsGoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events. |
Connect with us
Facebook Twitter Instagram