Slate reveals back-to-basics electric ute in production form

Slate Auto, a startup automaker backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has released final details about its back-to-basics electric ute and SUV.

Unveiled in April 2025 as a near-ready prototype, the company has revealed the car in its production form this week. Design-wise the body-on-frame Slate ute and SUV are essentially unchanged from the cars revealed last year.

The drivetrain package has been tweaked slightly with a 135kW/264Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels, which is 15kW less than last year's prototype. 

Instead of offering two battery options as initially envisaged, there's just one pack that splits the difference. The 63kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery is said to have a range rating of around 330km using the US EPA standard. AC charging maxes out at 11kW, while DC fast charging up to 120kW is possible.

The ute's payload rating has increased 53kg to 703kg, and its towing capacity is now 907kg, which is double what was initially promised. The SUV variants have a payload rating of  573kg, and a towing capacity of 827kg. Both body styles have McPherson struts at the front and a De Dion axle with coil springs out the back. 

Weighing 1837kg as a ute, and 1973kg as an SUV, the Slate has an estimated 0-60mph (0-97km/h) time of around 8.0 seconds.

Measuring 4.43m long, 1.79m wide, 1.73m tall and with a 2.77m wheelbase, the Slate is about the same size as a single-cab Toyota HiLux from 1990. The ute's bed is 1.52m long, and has a volume of 994L. Under the bonnet, there's a frunk that can swallow another 198L of gear.

When Slate debuted its prototypes last year, it was hoping to have the ute priced at just under US$20,000 (A$29,000) after factoring in the US$7500 federal EV tax credit. With the tax credit axed in September 2025, that price point is no longer achievable, but the base price is down.

The Slate ute -- dubbed the Blank Slate -- will start at US$24,950 (A$36,140), while the Squareback SUV kicks off at US$29,950, and the Fastback SUV begins proceedings at US$31,950. A five-seat Open Air variant will be available later.

While many EVs have spec sheets heaped full, like a buffet plate right before closing, the Slate's is so spartan it's practically from 500 BCE. There are no speakers, nor is there an infotainment system, just a cradle for your smartphone. The windows are crank operated too, and there's no electric window upgrade in the car's extensive options list.

At the time of writing, available options include lighting upgrades, alloy wheels, a lift kit, roof racks, new bumpers, colour inserts for the dashboard, upgraded interior trim, arm rests, a key fob, speakers, and a selection of tonneau covers, including one with built-in solar panels. 

The Slate's exterior is adorned solely with grey composite panels. If you want to change the colour, you'll have to opt for a wrap or decal kit. A basic full wrap starts from US$500, but there are custom options listed at US$1299.

Like the rest of the vehicle, you can customise the body style any time you wish. So, if you buy a Slate ute and then some offspring pop into your life, you can order the SUV components and either fit them yourself or, more likely, get a certified installer to convert the ute into a five-seat runabout.

All of the options available on the company's website are listed with a self-install difficult rating of beginner, medium or advanced. 

In its most basic form, the Slate ute is US$4045 less expensive than the cheapest EV currently available in the US, the US$28,995 (A$42,000) Chevrolet Bolt. While the 4.3m tall hatch misses out on the Slate's flexibility, it has a 157kW/229Nm motor, 65kWh battery and a much more fleshed-out feature list. 

The automaker is expecting to achieve a five-star USNCAP rating, and standard safety kit includes autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera, automatic high beam, forward collision warning, and driver, passenger, seat and side curtain airbags.

Due to its direct sales model, there will be no Slate dealerships. Servicing can be done through one of 3000-plus garages approved by RepairPal, although only 100 of those are accredited to work on the Slate's high voltage electrical system. 

Slate is encouraging owners to service and fix the car themselves with written and video guides available via the "Slate U" website, as well as free repair manuals. There's a 10 year/177,000km warranty for the drivetrain and battery, but no mention of a general vehicle warranty.

The company has so far taken 180,000 refundable deposits for the ute and SUV. Production is due to start at the end of this year at Slate's new factory in Warsaw, Indiana.