What the Slate Electric Pickup Truck Is

Slate is an electric pickup truck built by Slate, a startup founded in 2021 and based in Denver, Colorado. The truck is designed as a work vehicle for contractors, landscapers, and other tradespeople who need to haul tools and materials but want to run on battery power instead of gasoline. It has a bed capacity of around 1,500 pounds and a range of roughly 200 miles per charge, depending on driving conditions and load.

The Slate truck is not yet widely available for purchase. As of early 2024, the company has announced plans to begin production, but delivery timelines have shifted multiple times. If you are considering one, you should check Slate's official website or contact them directly for the current status of pre-orders and expected delivery dates, as these details change frequently.

Key Takeaways

  • Slate is a startup electric truck maker, not an established automaker, so production timelines and vehicle specifications may change before delivery.
  • The truck is designed for work use with a 1,500-pound bed capacity and approximately 200 miles of range per charge.
  • Pricing has been announced in the range of $40,000 to $60,000 depending on configuration, but final pricing and availability remain subject to change.
  • Charging time varies from roughly 30 minutes on a DC fast charger to 8 to 10 hours on a standard 240-volt home or workplace outlet.
  • Federal tax credits for electric vehicles may reduce your out-of-pocket cost, though may be able to access depends on final assembly location and your income level.

Announced Pricing and Configuration Options

Slate has announced pricing starting around $40,000 for a base model, with higher-trim versions reaching into the $50,000 to $60,000 range. These figures are pre-tax and do not include destination charges or dealer fees. The company has not yet released a detailed breakdown of what each trim level includes, so the relationship between price and features remains unclear until production vehicles are available for review.

Because Slate is a pre-production company, these prices are subject to change. Startups in the automotive space frequently adjust pricing as they move toward manufacturing, so any figure you see today may not reflect what you actually pay at delivery. You should treat announced pricing as a starting point for planning, not as a final quote.

Battery Range and Charging Time

The Slate truck is rated for approximately 200 miles of range on a full charge under typical driving conditions. This range will decrease if you are carrying a full load in the bed, driving in cold weather, or using the air conditioning heavily. Real-world range for work use is likely to be lower than the EPA estimate, particularly if you are making multiple stops or driving at highway speeds.

Charging speed depends on the equipment you use. On a DC fast charger at a public charging station, you can expect to add roughly 80 percent charge in about 30 minutes. On a 240-volt outlet at home or at a job site, charging a fully depleted battery takes 8 to 10 hours. A standard 120-volt household outlet is not practical for regular charging and would take 24 hours or more to fully charge the truck.

Federal Tax Credits and Incentives

Electric vehicles purchased in the United States may be may be able to access for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500, though the actual amount depends on several factors. The vehicle must be assembled in North America, the battery must meet domestic content requirements, and your household income must fall below certain thresholds (roughly $300,000 for joint filers as of 2024). Slate has not yet confirmed whether its trucks will meet these requirements at launch.

Some states and localities also offer additional rebates or tax credits for electric vehicle purchases. These vary widely by location and change year to year. Before committing to a purchase, contact your state's energy office or check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) to see what may be available in your area.

Startup Risk and Production Timeline Uncertainty

Slate is a new company with no track record of delivering vehicles at scale. Several electric truck startups have announced ambitious timelines and then delayed production repeatedly or failed to launch at all. If you place a pre-order with Slate, you are accepting the risk that the company may not deliver on schedule, may not deliver at all, or may deliver a vehicle that differs significantly from what was announced.

Pre-order agreements typically include cancellation clauses that allow you to get your deposit back if the company misses a important date or materially changes the vehicle's specifications. Read any pre-order contract carefully and understand what happens to your money if the truck does not arrive as promised. Some startups have held deposits for years while production was delayed.

How the Slate Truck Compares to Established Options

If you need an electric pickup truck now, established automakers offer more reliable timelines. Ford's F-150 Lightning is in production and available for purchase at dealerships, with a starting price around $55,000 and a range of up to 240 miles. Chevrolet's Silverado EV is expected to arrive in 2025. Rivian's R1T is also in production, though it is priced higher (starting around $70,000) and is designed more for consumers than for work use.

The trade-off is that established trucks tend to be larger and heavier than the Slate, which may not fit your needs if you are looking for a lighter-duty work vehicle. Slate's smaller footprint and lower price point are its main advantages, but those advantages only matter if the truck actually reaches production and delivery. If you need a truck soon, an established brand is a lower-risk choice.

What to Do Before Placing a Pre-Order

If you are seriously considering a Slate truck, start by visiting the company's official website and reviewing the most current information on specifications, pricing, and delivery timelines. Pre-order pages often include a FAQ section that addresses common questions about production status and cancellation policies.

Contact Slate directly with questions about your specific use case. Ask about the truck's payload capacity when fully loaded, its performance in cold weather, and what charging infrastructure you will need at your home or job site. Ask also about the warranty, what happens if the truck breaks down before the company has a service network in place, and whether they offer any protection if the company fails to deliver.

If you decide to place a pre-order, pay close attention to the cancellation terms. Understand how much of your deposit is refundable, under what circumstances you can cancel, and how long the company has to deliver before you can demand your money back. Do not assume that a pre-order is risk-free just because the company offers a cancellation option.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Slate truck actually be available to buy?

Slate has announced production timelines multiple times, and those timelines have shifted. As of early 2024, the company has not yet begun customer deliveries. Check Slate's official website or contact the company directly for the most current information, as this is the only reliable source for delivery estimates.

Can I use the Slate truck for towing?

Slate has not released detailed towing specifications. Most electric trucks have lower towing capacity than their gasoline counterparts because of battery weight and motor design. Contact Slate directly to ask about towing capacity if that is important for your work.

What happens to my pre-order deposit if Slate goes out of business?

Your deposit would likely be lost, as startup companies typically do not have insurance or guarantees to protect customer pre-orders in the event of bankruptcy. This is a real risk with any startup automaker. Read the pre-order agreement carefully to understand what protections, if any, are in place.

Is the Slate truck cheaper than the Ford F-150 Lightning?

Slate's announced starting price is lower than the F-150 Lightning's, but the Slate is also smaller and lighter-duty. The F-150 Lightning is available now, while the Slate is not yet in production. The actual cost difference depends on which trim levels you compare and whether you factor in the federal tax credit.

Do I need to install a charging station at home to own a Slate truck?

A home charging station makes ownership much more convenient, but it is not strictly necessary if you have access to public DC fast chargers. However, if you use the truck for work and need to charge it overnight, a home or job-site charger is practically essential. Installation costs vary from $500 to $2,500 depending on your electrical setup.