The High Cost of a 'Cheap' Truck: Slate's Range Gamble
AI-generated image · US National Wire
Michigan startup Slate Auto claims a $24,950 price point is the key to EV adoption, but a 205-mile range may turn this 'Blank Slate' into a driveway ornament.
OPINION: Slate Auto is attempting to disrupt the EV market by selling 'affordability' as a primary feature. However, in the world of electric utility vehicles, a crippled range isn't a bargain—it's a liability. A truck that can't venture far from its charging port without anxiety isn't a tool; it's an expensive paperweight.
As Engadget first reported, Michigan-based Slate Auto is betting that price is the main hurdle for EV adoption. The company's "Blank Slate" model, available as both an SUV and a truck, starts at $24,950—a stark contrast to the current market where the average new vehicle exceeds $50,000. To achieve this price, Slate has stripped the vehicle to its core, removing standard amenities like speakers and automatic windows. While the company offers over 200 optional accessories and various vinyl-wrap exteriors to customize the ride, the most significant compromise is under the hood.
Engadget notes that the Blank Slate is powered by a 63 kWh battery pack, resulting in an estimated range of 205 miles. While Slate Auto argues on its website that this range is a deliberate choice to balance capability with cost, it pales in comparison to EV truck competitors that typically offer between 280 and 450 miles. Slate is banking on data from Consumer Affairs showing that the average driver travels 37 miles per day to justify the limitation, claiming the vehicle is engineered for rural drives and daily commutes.
On the performance front, Engadget reports the truck features a 135 kW rear-mounted motor delivering 195 lb-ft of torque, 181 horsepower, and 2,000 pounds of towing capacity. While its 0-60 mph time of 8 seconds is comparable to the 2026 Ford Maverick hybrid, the utility is limited by the battery's capacity.
To mitigate the range deficit, Slate has partnered with home charging firm Treehouse to install Level 2 charging systems. Engadget details that the vehicle can reach an 80 percent charge in 30 minutes via Level 3 superchargers, or a full charge in 5 hours using a Level 2 charger. Level 1 charging via a standard wall outlet provides a meager 20 to 50 miles of range overnight.
Slate Auto intends to ship the Blank Slate from its factory in Warsaw, Indiana, later this year, with preorders currently available for $300.