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Jeff Bezos officially revealed its first model: the Slate Truck, a compact electric pickup with a radical and much-needed proposition.
As major automakers scale back their EV plans amid market uncertainty, Jeff Bezos is taking a bold step forward. At an event in Los Angeles, Slate Auto — a new EV startup backed by the Amazon founder — officially revealed its first model: the Slate Truck, a compact electric pickup with a radical and much-needed proposition.
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“The definition of affordability has been broken,” said Slate Auto CEO Chris Barman. “Slate exists to give power back to customers who have been ignored by the auto industry.”
The Slate Formula: Less Is More
Taking inspiration from historic models like the Ford Model T and the Volkswagen Beetle, Slate’s strategy is refreshingly simple: offer just one version of the vehicle, with a no-frills, functional design. The truck comes in only one color — slate gray — and features a two-door, two-seat cabin. Production is set to take place in the U.S., though the factory location remains undisclosed.
Forget flashy screens and tech overload: instead of a built-in infotainment system, the dashboard includes a mount for smartphones or tablets, similar to setups seen in European models like the Citroën C3 Aircross or Fiat Grande Panda. It’s all manual — from window cranks to basic steel wheels — yet safety isn’t sacrificed. Every Slate Truck includes automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning as standard.
Range, Power, and Modularity
Under the hood, the truck features a 204-hp electric motor powering the rear wheels. The base battery offers 52.7 kWh and delivers a range of 240 km (150 miles). An extended 84.3 kWh battery pack is available as an accessory, boosting range to 386 km (240 miles).
The Slate Truck can go from 0 to 60 mph in 8 seconds and reach a top speed of 90 mph (145 km/h). At 4.43 meters (14.5 feet) in length, it’s smaller than most compact SUVs, but offers a practical cargo bed measuring 5 feet (1.52 m), 650 kg payload capacity, and can tow up to 450 kg.
Customers can further customize the vehicle with an array of accessories — including a removable hardtop, aftermarket SUV kits with extra airbags, and a full line of DIY or professionally installed parts and gear.
A New Automotive Business Model
Slate aims to sell its vehicles direct-to-consumer, cutting out dealerships to keep prices low and control the end-to-end customer experience. Regional service centers will handle support and maintenance.
Bezos, who is already an investor in EV brand Rivian, has something very different in mind with Slate: an affordable, personal mobility solution built for everyday people. He took part in the company’s Series A funding round in 2023, which raised $111 million, and his personal wealth manager, Melinda Lewison, plays a key role on the board.
A Series B round followed, authorizing nearly 500 million preferred shares, bringing in high-profile names like Mark Walter (CEO of Guggenheim Partners) and Thomas Tull, former film producer and now an industrial investor.
The “People’s EV”?
Despite the challenging EV landscape — marked by falling demand, rising interest in hybrids, and the collapse of several startups — the Slate Truck offers a back-to-basics vision: affordability, simplicity, and a sense of community over luxury and complexity.
If Bezos and his team can pull it off, the Slate Truck might just do what many in the industry have failed to achieve — redefine personal transportation in the U.S. with a practical, scalable, and genuinely accessible electric vehicle.
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