All-electric and highly modular, the latest in U.S.-based electric vehicle (EV) technology is nearly ready to hit the market. Slate Auto will be sending out its customizable EV truck model before the end of 2026, officials say.

Dubbed “the most affordable truck in America,” no two models of the vehicle will be alike, according to Slate representatives. The minimalist vehicle sports fewer than half the parts of a typical pickup truck, including any sort of touchscreen, but has tactile controls throughout its driver’s cabin.

The Slate team built the truck for “millions of hardworking people looking for a vehicle that will adapt to their changing needs without breaking the bank,” Slate representatives say. According to CEO Peter Faricy, that message has struck a chord with a number of Americans looking for an affordable EV.

“More than 180,000 reservation holders have told us they’re ready for a vehicle that’s affordable, reliable, and built around their lives,” he said in June. “Slate gives customers the freedom to buy only what they need today and personalize their vehicle as their needs change tomorrow. We’re excited to start seeing Slates on roads across America later this year.”

The modular truck’s fewer parts and lighter weight have allowed it to charge more efficiently, and drive much longer than the average EV. Officials say the vehicle has increased its range by about 37% to an estimated total range of 205 miles.

Meeting the marketplace

Perhaps the biggest feather in Slate Auto’s cap, according to company representatives, is the price. With the truck model at an MSRP of $24,950, the brand also offers two SUV models, the Squareback and the Fastback, at a starting rate of $29,950.

The brand sells directly to its consumers, which allows it to accommodate for potentially infinite combinations of add-ons. The minimalist model allows for additions of more than 200 accessories from the Slate Marketplace, the company noting that 80% are under $500 each.

The company also offers relative ease of charging for the new vehicle model. The truck’s charger is compatible with any normal 120 V wall outlet, any 240 V dryer outlet, or any Tesla Supercharger location. All of this is in an effort to meet the American EV market where it currently sits, and break the domestic market out of the sluggish adoption rate it has experienced for decades.

Aesthetically, the company has designed the truck for wrap jobs, instead of paint jobs. Offering “infinite” color choices and easy color swaps, the option is also more affordable than traditional painting methods.

“We believe an American vehicle should be engineered and manufactured in America,” the company says. “With Slate, we’re proud to bring manufacturing jobs back to the Midwest. But our footprint is much larger than that.

“We’re designed in California and Michigan, engineered in Michigan, and assembled in the Midwest. And our team is spread across the entire country, from Washington state to Florida, bringing local insights and hometown pride to everything we do.”

Preorders for the Slate Truck are open now, with delivery windows starting at $300.

Tags: EV, EV charging, Slate Auto