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The $20,000 American-made electric pickup with no paint, no stereo, and no touchscreen (www.theverge.com)

submitted 18 hours ago by bot@rss.ponder.cat to c/thevergenews@sh.itjust.works

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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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[–] inclementimmigrant@lemmy.world 11 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago) (1 children)

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 2 points 4 hours ago (2 children)

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 1 points 3 hours ago

No, a trailer does not fit my use case.

[–] captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 hours ago

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.

[–] captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

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.

[–] Homescool@lemmy.world 1 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

I don't remember reading an 8-ft bed. I only remember reading that it could haul a sheet of plywood.

[–] captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 hour ago

It only seats two yet has a bed big enough to hold a sheet of plywood.

That phraseology heavily implies 4 feet between the wheel wells and 8 feet between the bulkhead and tailgate, the definition of a "full size" truck bed.

My S10 is not that large in either direction; the wheel wells are about 6 inches narrower and the bed is 6 feet long. I've hauled a bunch of plywood in it.. awkwardly resting against the bulkhead, balanced on the wheel wells and tailgate, with about a foot and a half sticking out past the bumper. Can my S10's bed "hold" a sheet of plywood?

Hell, even in a truck that's got narrow hips, embrace the tiny and put a lip/shelf around the perimeter that supports plywood sheets from the edges so they sit flat above the wheel wells. You'd have room for studs underneath on the floor. Just make the box long enough to close the fucking tailgate.

[–] andrewth09@lemmy.world 23 points 8 hours ago (3 children)

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

[–] bunnyBoy@pawb.social 7 points 7 hours 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 6 hours ago

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

. . . wait, half those are Japanese.

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[–] JokeDeity@lemm.ee 1 points 4 hours ago

Not sure if I'd get one, but at least it doesn't look like complete shit.

[–] dumples@midwest.social 12 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

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 3 points 8 hours ago (2 children)

It's owned by bezos.

[–] JandroDelSol@lemmy.world 3 points 4 hours ago

aww damn, was grtting excited about this :(

[–] dumples@midwest.social 2 points 7 hours 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

[–] applemao@lemmy.world 4 points 8 hours ago

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

That said, I'd buy one.

[–] PyroNeurosis@lemmy.blahaj.zone 12 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

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 7 points 6 hours 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.

[–] darkdemize@sh.itjust.works 45 points 18 hours ago (9 children)

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.

[–] JeremyHuntQW12@lemmy.world 20 points 14 hours ago

The article is rubbish. It has a stereo, different colours and aircon as well. Theres also a 5 passenger wagon model.

[–] expatriado@lemmy.world 12 points 17 hours ago (2 children)

2 speakers, amp and an aux

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[–] Panamalt@sh.itjust.works 26 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

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 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago) (3 children)

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 17 points 15 hours ago (2 children)

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.

[–] piccolo@sh.itjust.works 4 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

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

[–] Panamalt@sh.itjust.works 2 points 6 hours ago (2 children)

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.

[–] piccolo@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 hours ago

Those "features" are subsidize by selling your information and mass production. A low production vehicle will be expensive anyway.

[–] Jiggle_Physics@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

They are talking about the features that track you, listen to you, monitor any data passed through their device inputs, and things like chips that allow for the remote stopping of the car, the heaters in your seats, your remote starter, etc.

[–] Panamalt@sh.itjust.works 0 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Yeah, don't pay more money to not have any of that.

[–] Jiggle_Physics@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 hours ago

If I had the option, and i don't, I am going to have to spend my personal time resources, as-well-as money resources, on getting rid of it, if possible. The argument that the increased complexity, means increased resources to manufacture, doesn't work when the added complexity turns the customer into a source of revenue generation.

The real way is to get legislation that makes this illegal. That will not happen though, so the equivalent of "ad free" versions of TVs, Cars, Phones, etc. would be a nice option.

[–] PolarKraken@sh.itjust.works 7 points 14 hours 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.

[–] Evotech@lemmy.world 6 points 13 hours ago

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

[–] ProvableGecko@lemmy.world 3 points 13 hours ago

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

This is why China is winning.

[–] Mesophar@pawb.social 1 points 8 hours ago

A slightly better article

[–] Someonelol@lemmy.dbzer0.com 11 points 16 hours ago (2 children)

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.

[–] andrewth09@lemmy.world 4 points 6 hours 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.

[–] Phunter@lemm.ee 4 points 14 hours ago (5 children)

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

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[–] CPMSP@midwest.social 17 points 18 hours ago* (last edited 18 hours 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!

[–] grue@lemmy.world 4 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago) (1 children)

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

[–] cokeslutgarbage@lemmy.world 2 points 12 hours ago

I was thinking the same about my 2001 Honda Element that has the back seats removed, has no radio, and only has one functioning window. I already do the bluetooth speaker thing :)

Are we trendsetters? xx

[–] gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

My 150 mile EV wagon already handles what I throw at it, but I'd kill for something a little more truck like without breaking the fuckin bank

This.... This is high on the list now

[–] noxypaws@pawb.social 1 points 2 hours ago

Which EV wagon do you have?

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