Automotive
🚘 Slate Automotive’s “Affordable” Electric Truck: Promise, Progress, and Price Shifts
Slate Automotive captured national attention earlier this year when it unveiled what many called the most anticipated “budget” electric pickup truck in America. Promising a minimalist design, domestic manufacturing, and a base price under $20,000 (after incentives), the Slate Truck was positioned as the EV industry’s boldest answer to the affordability problem.
But since its April 2025 debut, several developments have reshaped that story — including pricing adjustments, production plans, and questions about whether “affordable” will still apply once federal incentives fade.
⚙️ From Concept to Production
In April, Slate Auto revealed its small two-door electric pickup — a compact, customizable EV designed for simplicity over luxury. The company’s philosophy is centered around what it calls the “Blank Slate” concept: a base model stripped of unnecessary features but built for expansion.
- Base range: ~150 miles, with an optional battery upgrade to ~240 miles
- Length: ~175 inches (roughly the size of a compact SUV)
- Body style: 2-door truck, with a conversion kit planned for a 5-seat SUV variant
- Manufacturing site: Warsaw, Indiana — a repurposed 1.4-million-square-foot former printing plant
- Production start: Targeting late 2026
- Estimated deliveries: Early 2027
For more on early EV innovation and transport development, check out our recent stories on Boom Supersonic’s Overture and The Evolution of Public Transportation in Los Angeles.
💲 Price Bump and Policy Changes
When Slate’s founders — backed by investors including Jeff Bezos and Mark Walter (Guggenheim Partners) — launched the concept, they confidently pitched a price “under $20,000 after incentives.”
However, recent developments have changed that equation. The loss of a key federal EV tax credit under recent legislation means the base price now sits closer to $27,000 before incentives. Even with state-level rebates, the total cost will likely land in the mid-$20K range for most buyers.
That’s still lower than most EVs on the market, but Slate’s base model is extremely minimal: manual windows, no touchscreen infotainment, and unpainted exterior panels in the entry trim. The company argues that the simplicity keeps prices low and durability high — echoing the utilitarian design of early pickups.
“We don’t believe an affordable EV should start at $60,000,” a Slate spokesperson said during the reveal. “Our truck is for people who want a reliable tool, not a gadget.”
🧩 Reservations and Early Demand
According to TechCrunch, Slate logged over 100,000 $50 refundable reservations within two weeks of launch — an impressive early show of interest.
That figure, however, does not guarantee actual orders. As seen with other EV startups, reservation enthusiasm doesn’t always translate into deliveries. Still, with $700 million in investor funding and a clear U.S. manufacturing plan, Slate’s prospects appear stronger than many early EV challengers.
🏭 Building in America
The company’s decision to set up shop in Indiana is strategic. It provides central U.S. access to suppliers and a lower-cost workforce compared to coastal hubs. The plant conversion is underway, and Slate aims to ramp up to 150,000 units annually by 2027, according to industry reporting.
If successful, the Slate Truck could become the first mass-produced electric pickup under $30K built entirely in the U.S.
🚦 What It Means for Affordable EVs
Slate’s progress comes at a pivotal moment for electric mobility. As other manufacturers focus on high-margin luxury vehicles, the affordable-EV space has thinned out. Slate’s entry signals a renewed interest in accessible electrification — but also highlights the fragile balance between price, policy, and practicality.
If production holds, the Slate Truck could mark the beginning of a new chapter for everyday EV ownership — proof that electric doesn’t have to mean expensive.
📎 Further Reading and Related Links
From STM Daily News:
- Boom Supersonic and the Future of Flight
- The Evolution of Los Angeles Public Transportation
- The Long Track Back Podcast: America’s Transportation Comeback
Outside Sources for Further Information:
- TechCrunch: Bezos-backed Slate Auto Debuts “Analog” EV Pickup
- Car and Driver: 2027 Slate Truck Revealed
- Hagerty: Slate to Build Affordable EV Truck in Indiana
- Business Insider: Slate Auto Drops “Under $20K” Tag After Policy Change
- Newsweek: Slate Auto Confirms Funding and Bezos Involvement
Automotive
2027 Toyota Tundra Adds Trailhunter Package and Updated Technology
The 2027 Toyota Tundra adds a Trailhunter package, refreshed styling and a standard 14-inch touchscreen. Starting MSRP is $42,890.
Last Updated on November 7, 2026 by Daily News Staff
PLANO, Texas — Toyota is updating the 2027 Tundra with refreshed exterior styling, a new Trailhunter package and additional technology for its full-size pickup lineup.
2027 Toyota Tundra: Trailhunter Package and Tech Updates
Based on the SR5 grade, the Trailhunter package adds Old Man Emu suspension, Michelin all-terrain tires, front recovery hooks and extra underbody protection. A locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control help drivers navigate challenging terrain, while bronze-colored wheels distinguish the package.
The TRD Pro receives newly designed, adjustable FOX Q3S shocks, standard red tow hooks and a new Honeycomb paint option.
Inside, a 14-inch multimedia touchscreen becomes standard. Toyota also adds a built-in drive recorder and makes Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 standard across the lineup. Gas and i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrains remain available.
Toyota lists the 2027 Tundra with a starting MSRP of $42,890. Buyers should check destination charges, options and dealer pricing when comparing total costs.
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Slate Auto and Smarties Launch Colorful EV Starter Packs
Slate Auto has partnered with Smarties Candy Company on six pastel customization packages for its upcoming electric truck. Announced October 27, the Smarties x Slate collection gives buyers another way to personalize the minimalist EV before deliveries begin.
The six Starter Packs are inspired by Smarties flavors: Blue Raspberry, Cherry, Grape, Pineapple, Orange and Strawberry. Each package includes a coordinating vehicle wrap, color-matched mirror decals, a Smarties-branded rocker decal, a logo decal, a customized key-fob end cap and a matching interior Slatelet.
Customers will be able to purchase the packages through the Slate Marketplace as their delivery dates approach. Pricing for the Smarties packages was not included in the announcement.
The collaboration fits Slate’s strategy of selling one simplified vehicle platform that owners can customize over time. Every truck leaves the Warsaw, Indiana, factory with gray exterior panels designed to be wrapped instead of conventionally painted. Buyers can keep the two-seat pickup configuration or select one of Slate’s five-seat SUV conversions.
The partnership does not change the truck’s core price or specifications. Slate continues to list the Blank Slate pickup at $24,950 before its $1,450 destination charge, with an estimated 205 miles of range. The range figure is still a company projection rather than a final EPA rating, and Slate continues to say its first deliveries are expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
For Slate, the Smarties collection is more than a seasonal promotion. It demonstrates how branded wraps and accessories could become an important part of the company’s business model while allowing buyers to change the appearance of their vehicles without purchasing a different truck.
Source: Slate Auto’s official Smarties collaboration announcement
Automotive
4 Tips for Efficient EV Charging at Home
Efficient EV Charging at Home: Your car has one job – to take you where you need to go. For electric vehicle (EV) owners, that means keeping it charged so it’s ready to hit the road when you are. Charging your car at home is convenient and cost-effective, especially if you have the right equipment and routines.
4 Tips for Efficient EV Charging at Home
(Feature Impact) Your car has one job – to take you where you need to go. For electric vehicle (EV) owners, that means keeping it charged so it’s ready to hit the road when you are.
Charging your car at home is convenient and cost-effective, especially if you have the right equipment and routines. Consider these quick tips from the EV experts at Schneider Electric.
Watch this video to learn more:
//www.youtube.com/embed/IELsXkSgOQQ
Install a Level 2 Home Charger
While many EV owners start with standard Level 1 charging using typical 120-volt household outlets, upgrading to a 240-volt Level 2 charger can offer extra efficiency and convenience. With significantly faster charging speeds, these units increase your driving range per charging hour and can replenish your battery in a fraction of the time.
Charge During Off-Peak Hours
If your electric company has variable pricing based on the time of day, you may be able to lower your utility bill by shifting your charging routines. This could mean doing most of your charging overnight and unplugging during peak daytime hours when rates are often more expensive.
Consider a Smart Charger
Since Level 2 chargers can add significant electrical load to your home, many EV owners are concerned they’ll need to make costly electrical upgrades to accommodate the higher power requirements. Instead, consider a smart Level 2 home charger with dynamic power management like the Schneider Charge.
With built-in technology called SmartAmp, this charger intelligently monitors the electrical demand in the home and adjusts the output to your EV accordingly. Whether you’re running a dryer full of laundry or turning on the air conditioning, the system can automatically dial back the charging power to your EV when necessary then ramp it back up when demand drops. This way, you won’t have to worry about overloading your electrical system or being forced to install pricey new panels so you can get everything done.
Since it works with all standard EV charging formats, it’s built to fit your current vehicle and whatever you buy next. Plus, through the connected app, you can conveniently schedule charging with a tap, giving you the ability to manage your EV routine remotely – or just set it and forget it.
Track Your Habits
Understanding your current charging habits can help you fine-tune your routines over time. Smart chargers can make tracking simple and automatic with apps that allow you to access information like how often you’re charging your vehicle, how long it takes and how much energy it consumes.
Learn more about smart EV charging at SE.com.
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