New electric vehicle (EV) startup Slate Auto, which is backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, says it has already secured over 100,000 refundable reservations in the two weeks since it emerged from stealth mode with a $US20,000 electric ute.
Slate – note the name is an anagram of Tesla – in late April unveiled the Slate Truck, a highly configurable and customisable two-seat ute/pickup boasting a 52.7kWh battery pack with a target range of 240 kilometres (EPA).
An accessory 84.3kWh battery pack is also mentioned, which would have a target range of 385 kilometres (EPA), and of course have a higher price. Charging for the batteries using the NACS port is supposed to race to 80 per cent at 120kW in under 30 minutes.
The base price is after US incentives, and without them is priced at around $US27,000 ($A43,000). The significance is that it promises the US-made $US25,000 EV that Tesla’s Elon Musk has promised but not yet delivered.
The base price is for a no-frills version with wind up windows, no speakers, cloth seats, no digital screens, and knobs for controls. Upgrading these will add to the price, but it does include a relatively large “frunk” (front trunk), cargo area, and 1,400lb payload accompanies max towing of 1,000lb.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKVwEg4ZToI
The Slate even boasts a flat-pack accessory SUV kit to turn the truck into a 5-seat SUV, complete with roll cage, airbags, and rear seat. The SUV modification can be done on your own, or you can have it done for you.
Slate’s website provides a glimpse into the range of customisations available and provides a ‘Maker’ to design your own Slate Truck, including all the additions and accessories you want.
The Slate Truck isn’t even painted and is supposedly the “first vehicle of its kind designed to be easily wrapped”, with wrap kit expected to start from around $US500 and able to be changed or removed whenever you want.
Even with all this customisation and unique do-it-yourself-ness, the Slate Truck boasts what the company describes as “top occupant safety” with the “highest” safety ratings, active emergency braking, forward collision warning, and up to eight airbags.
Slate says that it is aiming to provide “transparent pricing” with an expected price of under $US20,000 after federal incentives, which would convert to around $A31,000 – though, given the current economic climate and American politics, it’ll be a miracle if the Slate makes it out of America anytime soon.
Nevertheless, requiring only a $US50 refundable vehicle reservation, Slate confirmed to TechCrunch that it had already surpassed 100,000 reservations.
“We are truly humbled by America’s response to Slate’s brand launch and the launch of our truck,” Slate’s chief commercial officer Jeremy Snyder said in a statement to TechCrunch.
“We are excited for what the future holds.”
In addition to Jeff Bezos, Slate has reportedly secured financial support from Mark Walter, CEO of Guggenheim Partners and controlling owner of the LA Dodgers.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.