Does the Slate Truck’s simplicity hold it back?

The first thing that stands out about the Slate Truck is its compact size. It’s surprisingly small, especially in a market where trucks often feel like they need their own zip code. Measuring 174.6 inches in length, 70.6 inches in width, and 69.3 inches in height, with a curb weight of around 3,602 pounds (1,634 kg), it’s almost the same size as Marty McFly’s 1985 Toyota SR5 from Back to the Future.

However, once you step inside, that small exterior gives way to a surprisingly spacious interior. As someone who’s over 6 feet tall and often feels cramped in vehicles, I was amazed at the head and legroom available in this petite truck.

Tisha Johnson, Slate’s head of design, explained that this spaciousness is intentional. While many vehicles max out at around 6 feet 1 inch in height, Slate aimed to create a more comfortable interior. This focus on spatial comfort aligns with the startup’s broader design philosophy centered on usability and accessibility.

I’ll admit, I was initially skeptical about the Slate Truck when it was first revealed. A two-seater electric pickup with no paint, no radio, no power windows, and no cell connection—who is this aimed at? In its quest to build an affordable electric truck, Slate left out a lot of features. We’ve seen minimalist EVs before, but this one seemed to tread a fine line between being bare-bones and overly simplistic. After all, there are plenty of non-electric vehicles in the mid-$20,000 range that come with radios and navigation systems. How much minimalism is too much?

However, after spending just a minute in the truck, I was convinced. There’s a type of minimalism that feels almost unfriendly, hiding essential controls like gear shifting behind a digital interface that requires multiple taps and swipes. Slate’s approach, on the other hand, prioritizes utility, affordability, and, most importantly, choice. Johnson, who has decades of experience, including a decade at a well-known Swedish brand, emphasized that during the design process, the team often debated which features to keep and which to discard.

“When we recognize that we can take something out, and that deletion is lower cost, then we’re all about it,” she said. “Because we say that the dollars we save in making the vehicle are dollars back to our customers.”

Discussions could get heated, especially when it came to including an HVAC system. With climate change and extreme heat becoming more common, Johnson knew the truck needed air conditioning, so the pro-HVAC side prevailed. “What I love about that is it was an honest debate,” she noted. “We had to tug and pull on that topic. It wasn’t automatic.”

However, some comforts were sacrificed, like a stereo and built-in speakers. The truck does have a small speaker for required audio notifications, but that’s it. Customers can add their own Bluetooth speakers, as the vehicle is designed to accommodate them. Slate’s philosophy is simple: why make everyone pay for features that only a few might want?

While many would likely prefer a built-in stereo system, Slate believes it can attract customers with a robust lineup of accessories and aftermarket kits. Options include wraps, decals, chunky wheels, suspension lifts, and even a kit that transforms the two-seater into a five-seater compact SUV. Slate wants to empower its customers to customize their trucks.

The model I checked out was what the company calls its Blank Slate—no paint, no wraps, just plain gray body panels with a few nicks and scratches. (Slate has produced 20 prototypes that have been on the road for various auto shows and promotional events.) However, I’ve seen images of Slate trucks in various colors, including one inspired by the iconic NYC coffee cup design. There will also be a range of 3D-printed parts, like grilles and rear light casings, that owners can swap in and out. Johnson mentioned that the goal is to let customers define their trucks rather than choose from a fixed list of trims.

“Do they want to start with the truck and get the SUV kit later? What works for them? That’s an important story for us,” she said. “Some folks will say, ‘Okay, these are the dollars I have right now. Let me get that truck.’ And then two years later they’ll say, ‘Okay, I’m in a different position now.’”

This commitment to minimalism and affordability does come with trade-offs. The truck’s upright design creates more wind resistance, making it harder to maximize aerodynamic efficiency. That’s why many EVs today have rounded shapes. Currently, Slate offers the truck in two battery configurations: a 53 kWh option with an EPA-estimated range of 150 miles and an 84 kWh pack that can reach up to 240 miles.

Neither of those ranges is particularly impressive. Even the Chevy Bolt can achieve up to 260 miles and starts at a similar price point to the Slate Truck, all while offering features like power windows, a radio, and in-car navigation—basically, everything we expect from a new vehicle.

Johnson explained that these trade-offs stem from a clear understanding of how people are likely to use the Slate Truck, primarily as an urban vehicle for daily driving or commutes. “Any chance we had, we questioned the conventional approach to things,” she said. “So error is error. Yes, you have to work with it in a very particular way to optimize performance.”

In other words, the Slate Truck doesn’t have to be a “bullet in space,” as Johnson put it. It can be much more. And with a variety of add-ons, each truck can have its own unique look without much hassle.

Will Slate’s gamble pay off? Launching a brand-new EV right now is undoubtedly a challenge. Or perhaps it’s the perfect time, with both car and gas prices on the rise. Maybe a customizable, minimalist, compact two-seat truck is just what the market needs.

We won’t have to wait long to find out, as Slate plans to deliver the first trucks to customers by the end of 2026.