What is it?
Slate Auto, a 3-year-old startup company in Troy, has revealed its concept for a minimalist EV pickup that addresses the auto industry’s affordability crisis. Called the Blank Slate, the compact truck will be made in only one configuration at the company’s plant in Warsaw, Indiana, to be sold online directly to consumers for about $20,000 after federal incentives. Volume production is intended for late 2026.
Why is it so cheap?
Simplifying the build process to reduce costs means skipping some conventional steps. Because the body is made of composite panels, the plant gets by without the usual stamping presses and bevy of robot welders. Nor is there a paint shop, because the dent-resistant panels (think of Saturn) are slate gray.
Is the inside as blank as the outside?
The Blank Slate is equipped with three knobs to control the heat and air conditioning. Windows crank up and down by hand. Sorry, no infotainment system — but bring your own tech and mount your phone or tablet to avoid struggling with a built-in system. A USB port and a mounting point accommodate your speaker.
What if I don’t want it blank?
The design encourages adaptation and modularity. Accessory do-it-yourself kits (think of IKEA) let the buyer convert the base pickup into either of two SUV variants: a blocky five-passenger SUV with a roll cage and side-curtain airbags and a fastback SUV — pretty racy! To individualize your Blank Slate, order one of the vinyl wrap kits, which start at about
$500, in nearly any pattern and color. Apply it yourself or have Slate do it. You can choose from more than 100 accessories and add-ons, such as ladder racks in “work truck” mode and bike, ski, and gear racks in “play hard” mode. Watch for additional innovations from the aftermarket.
What is the cost after customization?
“We have not announced pricing for accessories yet, specific or directional,” said Slate’s head of public relations at press time in mid-May.
Is it safe?
Standard features of the Blank Slate emphasize occupant safety. There are up to eight airbags, a back-up camera, forward collision warning, traction control, electronic stability control, and active emergency braking. The internal steel cage is a stout safety cell that mates with the battery deck below.
How does it perform?
Power train: The 150-kilowatt (201-horsepower) electric motor is fed by a 52.7-kilowatt-hour battery pack and drives the rear wheels. An 84.3 kWh pack can be ordered.
Performance: 0 to 60 miles per hour in 8.0 seconds, 90 mph top speed
Range: 150 miles with standard battery, 240 miles with extended battery
Efficiency: 96 miles per gallon equivalent
Payload: 1,433 pounds in the pickup bed, which can carry sheets of plywood
Towing: 1,000 pounds
What are the dimensions?
The length of 174.7 inches and width of 70.6 inches place the truck right around the maximum of compact-vehicle class standards. The height of 69.3 inches is on par with a Ford Maverick. The 108.9-inch wheelbase surpasses that of a Honda Civic (107.7). Today’s vehicles — especially electric ones — are heavier than ever. At 3,602 pounds, this one exceeds the weight of the original Ford Mustang by a half-ton.
How do I get one?
Visit slate.auto and reserve your Blank Slate for a $50 fee. While you’re there, check out the merch. There’s even a Slate doggie bandana for $12.50.
This story originally appeared in the July 2025 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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