Please keep in mind that this is after tax incentives. So let’s just assume the tax incentives are zero and call it 27,000 just to be on the safe side.
Slate, a no-nonsense EV pickup for $20k
Submitted 5 weeks ago by paequ2@lemmy.today to technology@lemmy.world
https://electrek.co/2025/04/24/slate-emerges-modular-2-seat-ev-pickup-available-under-20k-video/
Comments
shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 5 weeks ago
tal@lemmy.today 5 weeks ago
Looks about right.
caranddriver.com/…/2027-slate-truck-revealed/
The Slate Truck is a bare-bones EV that’s expected to cost a little under $27,500, which can drop to less than $20,000 with the federal EV tax credit included.
Ulrich@feddit.org 5 weeks ago
a little under $27,500
Soooo $27,499?
rickyrigatoni@lemm.ee 5 weeks ago
Elon: I’m going to rule America to make people buy my shit.
Trump: I’m removing EV tax credits.
Elon: Why is nobody buying my overpriced deathtraps?
ABetterTomorrow@lemm.ee 5 weeks ago
Cool but now I’m worried this is being spammed everywhere. New capitalism marketing at foot?
trumpetmouth@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
yea im already slightly tired of seeing this truck after the day(s) it’s been promoted.
sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 5 weeks ago
Really? This is the first place I’ve seen it. Then again, I use an ad blocker everywhere.
Ulrich@feddit.org 5 weeks ago
Under $20k after federal incentives*
Altrex@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
Yeah, this is my issue with the government incentives for EVs, especially now that they are more common and can be deducted from the sale price. Most retailers are just jacking up the price to whatever the cap for the rebate is while pretending it’s still a good deal.
Ulrich@feddit.org 5 weeks ago
I hardly thing $27.5k could be considered “jacking up the price” but I also don’t appreciate advertising pricing that is dependent on a government incentive that may not even exist when the vehicles are actually delivered.
qjkxbmwvz@startrek.website 5 weeks ago
This is the same argument used for blaming the cost of college on government loans for education, for $$$ housing prices in cities that offer low income subsidies, for food prices due to food stamps…
technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 weeks ago
Car dependency is a dead end for humanity regardless of what shit-boxes they manufacture.
fireweed@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
For urban environments I 100% agree, but e-bikes and public transport can’t help farmers* get their produce to market. I don’t know much about this truck, but if it can fill a similar niche as the Japanese kei truck, I think it’s great to provide people who actually need a pickup with an alternative to the F-150+ behemoths currently available stateside.
*Yes there are some urban farms that totally could operate via ebike/other form of micro mobility, however most farms, even small ones, are located >10 miles outside urban centers, usually in areas only accessible by roads and highways that are currently very dangerous for non-motorized transportation modes. Fixing this problem would take decades and hundreds of billions if not trillions of dollars even if the government were fully on board with the transportation network and/or land use changes necessary to allow for a true car-free society (which of course they aren’t). I’m not such an idealist as to poo-poo a significant short-term improvement to the “oversized working vehicle” problem.
sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 5 weeks ago
Agreed. Whether everyone should be driving everywhere is a completely separate problem. In the short term, people need replacements for current ICE vehicles, and an inexpensive truck that runs on electricity is fantastic while we figure out the rest of the issues.
I’m guessing eventually farmers won’t need trucks, they’ll need bots that fulfill that need instead.
applemao@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
Some of us live in spread out communities or rural areas. You don’t expect all humans to live in a 2x2 ft cube in a 30 story tall building do you? Also, I guarantee not everyone else wants to live right next to other humans. I try to get as far as possible so I can do anything I want (be loud, be outside at any time, have parties etc). There is actually enough livable land on the planet for every single human to have 2 acres worth. Now, should people have children when there is already billions of us, that’s another question.
FenderStratocaster@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
According to this guy, you are the reason humans will die
MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 weeks ago
What’s the solution for transport around farms and factories and such then? Trucks will always be needed.
ArchaicHuman@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
Where’s the bullet point for Bezos? Hard pass if that shit bag is involved in anyway.
superniceperson@sh.itjust.works 5 weeks ago
He’s a billionaire, and he’s a normal billionaire at that. Investing is literally the only thing they do.
zeropublix@lemmy.ml 5 weeks ago
What if, and here me out here, what if, and that’s a crazy thought, what if cars don’t have be ridicules in size and battery capacity is actually used more efficiently.
dgriffith@aussie.zone 5 weeks ago
But I need my land barge to potentially carry 9000 pounds and 6 people for at least 400 miles without a break, even if I can barely manage to satisfy one of those criteria once a year. Otherwise it’s a miserable failure that must be mocked.
el_muerte@lemm.ee 5 weeks ago
Fuckin’ seriously. I’ve got friends who are like “I wouldn’t even consider an electric car until they have 1000 miles of range and can charge in fifteen minutes,” like bruh, you make two road trips a year and have four kids; even if we pretend you weren’t a two car family that takes the minivan anyway when you’re traveling, there’s no way your kids are making it a quarter of the range you “need” without stopping.
paequ2@lemmy.today 5 weeks ago
what if cars don’t have be ridicules in size
Then you may be interested in this vehicle. It’s about as long as the Kia Niro at 4.4m.
carrying dead weight
I mean, even in a 5 seater sedan, you’re gonna be carrying dead weight. Are you suggesting everyone ride bikes or motorcycles instead?
RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
239 miles / 150 miles for big/small battery in angry eagle units.
circuitfarmer@lemmy.sdf.org 5 weeks ago
Tbh, I’m super into this. Especially if the range could be extended slightly or if the truck is somewhat hackable.
But then… Bezos. Ugh.
Horsey@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
I struggle to understand the point of a truck that can only tow 500kg… that and such awful range. If the range were doubled this would be a great deal, but as is it’s just dead in the water.
qjkxbmwvz@startrek.website 5 weeks ago
That’s because you’re thinking of trucks used first and foremost for heavy duty “truck stuff.” That is not the only market for trucks, at least in the US: thedrive.com/…/you-dont-need-a-full-size-pickup-t…
According to Edwards’ data, 75 percent of truck owners use their truck for towing one time a year or less (meaning, never). Nearly 70 percent of truck owners go off-road one time a year or less. And a full 35 percent of truck owners use their truck for hauling—putting something in the bed, its ostensible raison d’être—once a year or less.
humanspiral@lemmy.ca 5 weeks ago
$20k with some cargo for a car is pretty good. If you need a F150, then you’ll have to pay for one.
limelight79@lemm.ee 5 weeks ago
I mean, are there any cars available in the US for just $20k? I’m pretty sure a base Mazda 3 was more than that when we bought ours five years ago (before the pandemic, and ours is a higher trim model). I don’t think they’re making the really small cars any more (like the Toyota Yaris).
Short version, I’m skeptical of this price point for even a small pickup. Great if they can do it.
dual_sport_dork@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
Low towing capacity and an outrageously miserable bed size. Less than five feet? The powertrain of this should have been put in a station wagon, not a “truck.”
sugarfoot00@lemmy.ca 5 weeks ago
There used to be a market for small trucks which has all largely evaporated. I’m all in favour of a smaller utility truck with limited range. Something like this would be ideal for my business.
notthebees@reddthat.com 5 weeks ago
It can probably tow more, usually 500 kg is like the bare minimum for American cars. Also us towing standards are a bit more strict. A car in the EU is rated to tow more than a car in the US, even if it’s identical.
Horsey@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
Even if it were 1000kg, that’s still way below what a truck would want to tow though.
njordomir@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
No mention of safety in the article. Does a manufacturer of this size have to do crash tests?
Also, this sounds like the Spirit/Ryanair of cars. Everything costs extra.
For years, I drove ~10-20 minutes to and from work. Mostly stroads and freeway. I could never justify buying an extra nice car because I didn’t use it that much. Same for a nice car stereo. I’d just listen to NPR and talk radio for news, traffic reports, and maybe a quirky story about some cultural oddity or eclectic artist. If I spend thousands on a sound system it goes in my house, where I live and vibe. Now I work from home, ride my bike everywhere, and a tank of gas can easily last me a month. My current car was purchased for about $20k. If my car died for some reason, I don’t even know if I’d be willing to part with 20k to replace it. I appreciate that these guys are building something for ordinary people and not another faux luxury lifted minivan the size of a garbage truck.
I can see a lot of retired people buying one of these to drive to their once a week bridge tournament or bingo night.
MaggiWuerze@feddit.org 5 weeks ago
I can see a lot of retired people buying one of these to drive to their once a week bridge tournament or bingo night.
They would be far better served with a regular car instead of a pickup
mnmalst@lemmy.zip 5 weeks ago
If you need a car just once a week you shouldn’t own a car at all. Take the bus!
lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 weeks ago
Luckily you can add a hardtop and seats (and airbags!) to the rear to make it into an SUV. Appears to be a modular design.
I would seriously consider this little thing if 1) it actually happens at that price point and 2) retains this modular design (lmao)
steal_your_face@lemmy.ml 5 weeks ago
They say they’re shooting for a 5 star crash rating.
notthebees@reddthat.com 5 weeks ago
I believe so if they want to be highway legal.
I want this to be successful
Aeri@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
Everyone seems to hate this thing based on marketing but I actually kind of liked the looks of it, sigh.
sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 5 weeks ago
Yeah, what’s wrong with it? It looks like a simple truck for around town use, and it’s fairly cheap.
iamdefinitelyoverthirteen@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
My only deal breaker is the lack of 4x4. I love this truck, but I will not buy a truck without 4 wheel drive.
Liz@midwest.social 5 weeks ago
I love this thing too hell and back. This is exactly what I want in a car/truck.
Crumbgrabber@lemm.ee 5 weeks ago
After seeing announcements and headlines like this for over 10 years and just about nothing available for sale I just kind of yawn Now. Good way to raise some venture capital though. does it have AI? let’s do this
altphoto@lemmy.today 5 weeks ago
AI catalytic converter technology!
No1@aussie.zone 5 weeks ago
Curb weight 1634kg
This was the standout spec that might make me consider one.
I’ve been looking mainly at small hatchbacks/SUVs, and they all seem to weigh in at over 1800kg. And many are over 2000kg.
Chip_Rat@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
What makes that spec a priority for you?
notthebees@reddthat.com 5 weeks ago
Tires? General handling? Crash safety for others?
MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 weeks ago
Weight affects basically everything. Less weight means less cost to buy, better range, better handling, less cost of maintenance (brakes, tires, etc), better safety, less getting stuck off-road, and so on…
No1@aussie.zone 5 weeks ago
Others have answered this well 👍
barsoap@lemm.ee 5 weeks ago
Sounds like the non-commercial version of the DHL StreetScooter Work (L), with those even the passenger seat is an optional extra. Trouble was that while it’s the perfect vehicle for last-mile distribution routes most companies doing that kind of thing (like bakeries) don’t have the finances to back up an actual car producer, and DHL didn’t want to become a car producer. Taking over the company to get their hands on the trucks, yes, but bringing it to scale so they wouldn’t have to subsidise it? Not their business. And German car manufactures don’t want to build it because small bare-bones vehicles don’t have margin, anything smaller and less fancy than an actual van doesn’t make sense to them given the fixed cost of their production lines. Don’t worry, though, the inventor got the rights back, production is moving to Thailand, new vehicle is in the pipeline, with the core components (chassis etc.) designed for a 50 year lifetime. I’m sure DHL will figure out how to deliver delivery vans.
TheReturnOfPEB@reddthat.com 5 weeks ago
available … Q4 2026
everett@lemmy.ml 5 weeks ago
I see what you did there.
__nobodynowhere@sh.itjust.works 5 weeks ago
Very interesting, but please give me power windows and a dumb infotainment unit that does Android Auto/CarPlay
BigPotato@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
Available as optional extras
mrgoosmoos@lemmy.ca 5 weeks ago
and lose the blinding headlights and automatic high beams
SnortsGarlicPowder@lemmy.zip 5 weeks ago
Is this a $20k kit car or a $20k truck that they build for you?
paequ2@lemmy.today 5 weeks ago
One thing that makes me nervous is that there are so many screws exposed. It seems like it would be really easy for thieves to just walk up with a hex key and steal your bumper or panels… 🤔
BeatTakeshi@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
If pickups and other monstrosities were limited to people that can prove they need it, or even just to professionals, we wouldn’t need the stupid paradoxical concept of an EV pickup. Like “oh my flame thrower that I use to light birthday candles runs on biofuel, so we’re good”
cmhe@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
What is up with those pickup trucks anyway? Why do so many people in the U.S. buy them?
Everything that you put in the back is subjected to weather and one of first additions people buy is a cover.
Compare that to a mini bus or transporter, you can transport as much or more than with a pickup truck, protected from weather, and you can add or remove chairs, if you need to transport people.
If you have a transporter, you can also much easier furnish the inside with racks etc, to improve space use.
scarabic@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
It’s not a truck to me if the bed can’t fit a sheet of plywood.
ABetterTomorrow@lemm.ee 5 weeks ago
This is actually pretty cool and makes sense. Can’t wait to see what the 3D printer community does with this if the dash can be customized with accessories. Anyone know when a test drive would be covered?
commander@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
Something like this I imagine I’d be happy with. A sedan/crossover and this. Wouldn’t take it out the county. Just trips to hardware/gardening stores and moving furniture. More than enough range and speed to go to work too. Any long drive I’d probably get an Accord hybrid or something. 2 vehicle family
MisterMoo@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
At least tell me there’s a DIN slot in the dashboard. As long as I can connect my phone via Bluetooth I’m good.
GoodOleAmerika@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
Elon now bezo. Noice
MichaelScotch@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
Toyota Tacoma didn’t exist in 1985. The first model year was 1995. Did you mean a 1985 toyota pickup/hilux?
Valmond@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
150kWatt and a top speed of 145? That’s kind of insane?
Wait a minute, mph not km/h I guess.
Rivalarrival@lemmy.today 5 weeks ago
I’ve heard this song before. Lordstown Motors, for example.
If they can get some trucks rolling out the door, I’ll get interested real quick.
simplejack@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
Aside from being backed by Bezos, this seems like Lemmy the car. Under 20K, an EV, no stupid touch screen, designed to be repaired and modded, and even crank windows.
I bet the catch is the range or charge speed.
tal@lemmy.today 5 weeks ago
I don’t think that it has a cell modem, either, because it sounds like it eschews a baked-in entertainment computer:
caranddriver.com/…/2027-slate-truck-revealed/
Honestly, if you took my last year of comments complaining about privacy-infringing cars and those complaining about changes to what a truck is, this does kind of look to be addressing both. Gotta see what the actual vehicle is like in real life, of course, but…
MaggiWuerze@feddit.org 5 weeks ago
I mean, I get they need to cut costs, but come on… a damn radio wouldnt have killed them
Hubi@feddit.org 5 weeks ago
So it’s not coming to Europe then.
applemao@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
100% in agreement with all your points. Simplicity and modular! Look how well the original mustang did, because you could actually get what you wanted. That has disappeared completely now
Mac@mander.xyz 5 weeks ago
No, the catch is that it isn’t real.
@ me when it rolling off the production line.
Until then…
altima_neo@lemmy.zip 5 weeks ago
Yeah they said they’re hoping to be producing them by 2026. So likely won’t be available till 2027/28
FenderStratocaster@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
I love this truck. I want one. It’s just that it’s a VC pump and dump.
Tagger@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
Standard Range (52.7 kWh) (est.): 150 miles
seems like but manageable for most people
ExcessShiv@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 weeks ago
That’s not 150 miles of actual driving range, it’s more like 75-100miles of actual range.
Dudewitbow@lemmy.zip 5 weeks ago
well its less it doesnt have a touch screen, the touch screen is an optional purchase.
the range iirc in some overview is 2 options, one was i think 150mi, the other was 240mi
tal@lemmy.today 5 weeks ago
From my other link, I don’t think that the touch screen is an optional purchase. I don’t think that they’re selling any entertainment computer to have a screen on. It says that they come standard with a smartphone mounting point or optionally with a tablet mounting point. But the car computer is bring-your-own, and not built into the car. Which…is what I’ve wanted, because computers age out a lot more quickly than cars do.
I assume that there’ll be an OBD-II slot that one can hook up to to feed data about the car to the phone/tablet. There’s software that can make use of that. Dunno if there’s any other data typically exposed to car computers other than what that provides.
Ulrich@feddit.org 5 weeks ago
No, there is no optional touch screen. The one featured in their media is a phone/iPad running the Slate app.
sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 5 weeks ago
As long as it gets 50+ miles range reliably in winter, it’s perfect as a commuter/weekend project truck. I generally look for 150 miles range for this, since winter can cut effective range in half.
baggachipz@sh.itjust.works 5 weeks ago
Good news, it’s range is 150 miles.
altima_neo@lemmy.zip 5 weeks ago
I mean Bezos backed Rivian too. Or Amazon did, anyway.
JeremyHuntQW12@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
It will need to have a screen to comply with safety standards. A back up camera is mandatory.
The Citroen Ami is a “cycle car” under French law and doesn’t have to meet the same standards.
simplejack@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
It has a camera on the tailgate and the instrument cluster is a display.
caffinatedone@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
Supposedly, there’s a display on the instrument cluster for the backup camera.