Manual side windows, steel wheels and no radio… That's the 'equipment package' from the new American car brand Slate. In return, the price is kept low.
The new American electric car brand Slate has presented a car without power windows and on steel wheels. The latter must be provided by customers themselves.
A new American car brand, Slate, has just launched its first car. It's an electric pickup truck aimed at the very price-conscious customer.
The starting price is expected to be around 175,000 Danish kroner (DKK) including any subsidies. The model, which can also be configured as an SUV, is a different approach to the electric car market. It focuses on basic functionality at a low price.
The Slate is significantly different from many other new electric cars. It comes in an extremely simple basic version. The car has manual window operation via a crank. It also comes only with rear-wheel drive and on steel wheels.
The interior is also minimalist. There is no radio, speakers or door pockets as standard. The idea is to keep the starting price as low as possible.
The company's CEO, Chris Barman, states: "There's a massive customer base out there looking for an affordable car." This underlines the company's strategy.
The car's information system is also simple. A small screen in front of the steering wheel displays necessary information. This includes speed and image from the rearview camera. There is no large central touchscreen.
The electric car from Slate is pure DIY construction
Other functions are controlled via the driver's own mobile phone. The phone can be placed in a specially designed holder. This is a solution to save costs on built-in hardware.
A central part of the concept is the possibility of later upgrades. Slate plans to offer a wide range of accessories. Car owners can install most of the accessories themselves.
Slate will provide do-it-yourself manuals for the purpose. This allows owners to customize the car over time. It is a flexible model for car ownership.
Among the accessories, there are two different kits. They can transform the pickup version into an SUV. This gives the car a dual function.
Other available upgrades include power windows and speakers. You can also purchase seat covers and seat heating, allowing for increased comfort later on.
Range, Charging and Future Plans for Slate
Slate will offer the car with two battery sizes in the same model. A 52.7 kWh pack and an 84.3 kWh pack. The range is stated according to the US EPA standard. This corresponds to approximately 400 km for the small pack and 640 km for the large one.
The car supports fast charging with up to 120 kW, allowing for reasonable charging times on the go.
However, Chris Barman acknowledges the car's limitations in an interview with Inside EVs .
– We know that it's not a car for everyone, especially if you have to drive very far, he says.
Production of Slate's first car is scheduled to begin in late 2026. However, the car brand already has ambitious goals for the future. In just a few years, they will build at least 150,000 cars per year.
Interest in new electric car brands, and especially electric pickups, is fluctuating. Ford, for example, had such major problems selling the electric version of the F-150 that production had to be cut significantly.
Other car brands that attempted similar projects have already gone bankrupt. Read more about it here .
