Slate Auto Readies $24,950 Electric Truck for Indiana Production

WARSAW, Ind. — Slate Auto is completing preparations at its Warsaw, Indiana assembly facility for commercial shipments of the Blank Slate later this year. The Michigan-based startup is seeking a place in the U.S. market with a vehicle priced at $24,950.

The Blank Slate is designed as an electric pickup and SUV platform, with an entry price roughly half the average transaction cost of a new light vehicle in the United States, which currently exceeds $50,000. Buyers can reserve a position in the initial delivery schedule with a $300 preorder deposit placed through the company’s website.

Its rear-wheel-drive platform uses a single 135-kilowatt electric motor. That drivetrain produces 181 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, while the vehicle has a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds and a 0-to-60 mph acceleration time of eight seconds.

Slate Auto is positioning the vehicle against entry-level compact utility vehicles such as the hybrid Ford Maverick, with local utility, fleet, and urban commuting markets in mind. Domestic automakers, meanwhile, continue to focus electric truck production on high-capacity, premium-priced models.

Full-sized electric pickups including the Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, and Tesla Cybertruck routinely sell for between $50,000 and $80,000 and offer battery ranges between 280 and 450 miles. The Blank Slate uses a 63-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack with an estimated full-charge range of 205 miles.

According to mobility research from Consumer Affairs, the average driver in the U.S. travels approximately 37 miles per day. The vehicle’s smaller battery pack reduces physical vehicle mass and cell procurement costs, while its range remains within daily operational parameters for standard suburban and rural usage. Its range is shorter than that of long-haul electric trucks.

The electrical architecture supports standard Level 1, Level 2, and Direct Current (DC) Level 3 fast charging. DC Level 3 fast charging replenishes the battery from near empty to 80 percent capacity in approximately 30 minutes, while Level 2 charging through 240V outlets provides a complete 100 percent charge in five hours using standard high-voltage appliance outlets or commercial public chargers.

A standard household 120V outlet can add between 20 and 50 miles of driving range through an overnight Level 1 charge. Slate Auto includes a dual-voltage charging cable with every vehicle for Level 1 and Level 2 connections. For customers seeking dedicated home charging stations, the startup has formed an operational partnership with electrification firm Treehouse to streamline installation of residential Level 2 charging units.

Cost reduction also shapes the vehicle’s equipment. The stripped-down base model omits standard modern conveniences such as power windows and factory-installed speaker systems. Lowering the density of internal electronics simplifies the vehicle’s wiring harnesses and reduces overall assembly time.

Rather than offering standard factory trim options, Slate uses a modular aftermarket model. Buyers can select vinyl exterior wraps and more than 200 optional plug-and-play accessories through an online design portal.

Production and customer fulfillment are scheduled to begin from the Indiana facility before the end of the year.