Bezos Takes on Musk with New EV Truck
Credit: Screenshot
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One of the primary investors in a new, affordable EV truck company called Slate is Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Slate has raised at least $111 million from investors, including Bezos and Mark Wallers, the majority owner of the LA Dodgers. TechCrunch first broke the news earlier this month, but you can’t hide from Slate in the news lately.
Slate hails itself as a two-door electric pickup that can transform into whatever you need it to be, “even an SUV.” The best part, supposedly, is that the price will be below $20,000 after the $$7,500 EV tax credit. That is, of course, if the tax credit still exists in 2026 when the first models will be delivered. According to their website, Slate is designed in California and Michigan, engineered in Michigan, and assembled in the Midwest “more specifically.” Or more vaguely, depending on how you wish to interpret it.
The truck has a 4-by-5 foot bed, cloth seats, crank windows, no Bluetooth, no speakers, and a 150-mile range. Are you sold yet? It’s a truck (or SUV), but it’s not all-wheel drive. For size comparison, the Slate just about fits in the back seat of a Chevy Silverado pickup (no assembly required).
There’s an extended-range version that will get you 240 miles, but there’s no information on the cost of that option. The 35.1 cubic foot cargo bed is large enough to haul “about 30 dachshunds.” How did Slate know we make automobile purchasing decisions based on wiener dog carrying capacity? Finally, someone gets it.
Let me tell you more. If you want a different color other than the standard Slate Grey, you can order it wrapped (presumably for a price), OR for “about $500,” Slate will do you a favor and ship you a wrap and instructions so you can wrap your car at home. SWEEET. I’ve always wanted to be the proud owner of a brand new car I have to paint (or wrap) myself.
Your Slate will come with “easy mounting” for your iPhone, or an “accessory bracket” will hold your iPad, but likely at a cost. Does Slate tell you how fast you’re traveling? Not sure. I’m guessing there are laws for that, so probably.
Slate says built-in infotainment systems raise a car’s price, become outdated quickly, and have high failure rates. Maybe your Slate will come with a paper map or, better yet, a globe. If you want a fully loaded vehicle, it’s possible. Slate says traditionally fully-loaded options “can be purchased individually as accessories in our marketplace and can be installed at delivery, later by a Slate service provider, or DIY using our Slate University video tutorials.” Awesome, Slate will send you to their college to teach you how to build your new truck(ish).
Is this real life? Is this a goof or just a toy for the rich? You can reserve your Slate today for a refundable $50. Bezos has to be giggling while he eats his $27,500 lunch. It’s Bezos’ world; we’re just living in it.
