A new entrant in the American electric car market is making waves with its focus on affordability. Startup Slate has introduced the $25,000 Slate Truck, a customizable and practical electric vehicle. This truck offers hand-cranked windows, a basic dashboard, and a modular platform that allows users to transform it into an SUV using a DIY accessory kit. Slate, based in Michigan, has attracted funding from notable investors such as Jeff Bezos of Amazon. Unlike other EV startups that start with expensive flagship models, Slate takes a bottom-up approach by launching an affordable model first. The Slate Truck is compact, measuring 174.6 inches in length with a 108.9-inch wheelbase, making it shorter than competitors like the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick. Despite its size, it features a 4-foot bed and a 7-cubic-foot “frunk” storage space. It can carry up to 1,433 pounds but has a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds, lower than gas-powered rivals. The truck’s minimalist design includes basic steel wheels and exposed hardware. Inside, it features a simple digital instrument cluster and a universal phone mount instead of a large touchscreen. Safety features include active emergency braking and forward collision warning, though it also has hand-cranked windows to keep costs low. Slate offers over 100 accessories for customization. One standout accessory is an SUV kit that converts the truck into a five-seat SUV. The truck is powered by a 150-kilowatt motor with 195 pound-feet of torque, offering an estimated 8-second 0-to-60 mph acceleration and a top speed of 90 mph. It comes with a 52.7 kWh battery providing up to 150 miles of range, with an optional 84.3 kWh battery for 240 miles. Charging takes about five hours with a Level 2 charger and under 30 minutes for an 80% charge at a DC fast charger. Slate aims to make this the cheapest EV in America.
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