A no-frills electric pickup from Slate Auto challenges US EV market trends

Slate Auto has introduced a compact electric pickup with a 205-mile range and a base price under $25,000, forgoing features like power windows to cut costs. The vehicle arrives as US EV sales remain below 10% of new-car purchases and are declining. The company hopes its minimalist approach will appeal to buyers who have been put off by larger, pricier electric trucks.

EXPANDED:

The Slate's 65-kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate battery is roughly half the capacity needed for the Ford F-150 Lightning's near-300-mile range, a factor that drove that truck's price from $40,000 to over $54,000 before its December 2025 discontinuation. The compact pickup measures shorter than a Honda Civic, and its base configuration omits power windows entirely.

US drivers average under 35 miles daily, with nearly 90% of personal trips covering 20 miles or less, and surveys show