Slate Auto raises specs and price for $24,950 electric pickup
The revised entry-level model features a 65 kWh LFP battery and a minimalist design, with deliveries slated for the fourth quarter of 2026.
Slate Auto has unveiled revised specifications for its entry-level electric pickup, increasing the estimated range from 180 to 205 miles (330 km) while raising the base price to $24,950. The updated model, which excludes destination charges, taxes, and fees, utilises a 65 kWh gross lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack. This chemistry shift, which reduces costs by approximately 40 per cent compared to nickel-manganese-cobalt alternatives, also allows for a single rear motor producing 181 horsepower (135 kW) and a top speed of 90 mph (145 km/h).
The company has also improved the vehicle’s utility metrics, increasing the tow rating from 1,000 to 2,000 lbs (907 kg) and the payload capacity from 1,400 to 1,550 lbs (703 kg). Hands-on testing of the pre-production vehicle in Los Angeles revealed a zero-to-60 mph time of approximately eight seconds and one-pedal driving capabilities. The chassis features McPherson struts at the front and a De Dion axle with coil springs at the rear, providing a ground clearance of 7.8 inches (198 mm).
Slate Auto’s strategy relies on a minimalist design to maintain affordability, omitting a standard modem, advanced driver assistance systems, and a central infotainment screen. The vehicle uses crank windows and relies on a companion app connected via cable for updates. An optional telematics modem is available for $275 with a one-year subscription, primarily targeting fleet customers. The company reports that 80 per cent of items in its aftermarket marketplace, including roof racks and vehicle wraps, will cost under $500.
The startup has received 180,000 refundable deposits of $50, with over 10,000 preorders placed as of 9 am PT on the day of reporting. Slate is actively discussing fleet opportunities with managers, though no specific names have been disclosed. The company aims to begin deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2026, with an annual production capacity currently set at 150,000 units.
An optional SUV conversion kit, known as the Squareback, is available for approximately $5,000. This modification reduces the payload capacity to 1,263 lbs (573 kg) and the towing capacity to 1,824 lbs (827 kg). The base vehicle supports DC fast charging up to 120 kW, with Slate claiming a 20 to 80 per cent charge in 30 minutes, although independent testing suggests this may take longer in practice. AC charging is supported at 11 kW.
