INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
first EV, the Slate Truck
Notably, the vehicle is capable of a claimed 150 miles (241 km) of range at a starting price of less than $20,000, assuming federal clean
vehicle tax credits continue to exist.Slate caused a lot of social media froth when it parked a pair of styling concepts (not functional
vehicles) in Venice, California, advertising bizarre fake businesses
Today, the company unveiled the vehicle to the press at an event near the Long Beach Airport.The Blank Slate, as the company calls it, is
"all about accessible personalization" and includes a "flat-pack accessory SUV Kit" that turns the truck from a pickup into a five-seat SUV
and another that turns it into an "open air" truck
The aim, according to a spokesperson for Slate Auto, is to make the new vehicle repairable and customizable while adhering to safety and
crash standards.
If you've ever said you'd buy a bare-bones truck with no infotainment and manual windows if only they'd build one,
it's time to get out your wallet.
Credit:
Slate Auto
The truck will come
with a choice of two battery packs: a 57.2 kWh battery pack with rear-wheel drive and a target range of 150 miles and an 84.3 kWh battery
pack with a target of 240 miles (386 km)
The truck has a NACS charging port and will charge to 80 percent in under 30 minutes, peaking at 120 kW, we're told
(150 kW), 195 lb-ft (264 Nm) motor, and it tops out at 90 mph (145 km/h).Because the truck will be built in just a single configuration from
the factory, Slate Auto will offer body wraps instead of different paint colors
Rather than relying on a built-in infotainment system, you'll use your phone plugged into a USB outlet or a dedicated tablet inside the
cabin for your entertainment and navigation needs
The Slate Truck will also aim for a 5-star crash rating, according to a company spokesperson, and will feature active emergency braking,
forward collision warning, and as many as eight airbags.
