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Is the 2027 Slate Truck a Sign of Change in the Automobile Market?

  • Jason
  • Apr 28, 2025
  • 3 min read

Slate Auto, a Michigan-based startup backed by Jeff Bezos, has introduced the 2027 Slate Truck, an electric vehicle (EV) built around a simple idea: affordable, practical, and customizable EV ownership. With a starting price near $27,000 USD (around $38,000 CAD) and the potential for federal (US) incentives to lower the cost even further, Slate is aiming to bring EVs within reach for more drivers. (1)(2)(4)


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While Slate Auto is first focusing on launching in the U.S. market, online reports suggest plans to expand into Canada once manufacturing and supply chain operations are established. For Canadian drivers following the shift toward electric vehicles, Slate’s approach could add an interesting option to a market increasingly defined by higher-priced, tech-heavy models. It is also worth hoping that Canada's own auto sector and startup community are quietly working on their own disruptive ideas to strengthen our global standing.


The Slate Truck is not just another EV. It offers a basic, durable platform that owners can customize with a wide range of accessories, from SUV conversion kits to open-air fastback options. It is a different approach from what we have seen so far, and it could signal a broader shift in how new vehicles are designed, priced, and sold.


Key Features


  • Minimalist Design: The base model, known as the "Blank Slate," comes in a single gray color with no paint finish, manual windows, and no built-in infotainment system. Instead, drivers use their smartphones for navigation and media through an integrated mount. (3)(4)(6)


  • Customization Options: Slate Auto offers over 100 accessories, allowing owners to personalize their vehicles. Notably, the truck can be transformed into a five-seat SUV using a flat-pack kit that includes a roll cage, rear seats, and additional safety reinforcements. Other kits include a fastback or open-air option, all of which can be further customized. (4)(5)(6)


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  • Performance: Powered by a rear-mounted motor producing 201 horsepower, the Slate Truck offers two battery options: a 52.7 kWh battery with an estimated range of 150 miles, and an 84.3 kWh battery with approximately 240 miles of range. (3)(6)


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Implications for the Automotive Industry


Slate Auto’s introduction of a back-to-basics electric truck reflects growing demand for simpler, more affordable alternatives to the luxury EVs that dominate the market. Their focus on essential features, paired with extensive personalization options, may push other automakers to rethink their strategies. (3)(7)(8)(9)


As EV adoption increases, manufacturers will not only compete on technology and performance but also on how well they meet the real needs and budgets of everyday drivers. Slate’s approach could encourage broader innovation and offer buyers more meaningful choices in the years ahead.


Conclusion


The 2027 Slate Truck offers more than a new vehicle; it offers a new way of thinking about what car ownership can look like. Simplicity, customization, and affordability are no longer niche ideas. They are beginning to shape the next generation of vehicles. As more EV companies enter the market, competition for buyers will intensify. Brands like Slate Auto are not just introducing models, they are challenging the assumptions that have defined the industry for decades.


In the next few years, expect to see more innovation, more direct competition, and more pressure on traditional automakers to adapt. Whether you are ready to buy an EV or are simply following the changes, bold ideas are now driving the future of the automobile market.


One last note: "Slate" is an anagram of "Tesla." While there is no formal connection between the two, the coincidence feels fitting. Both are reshaping expectations in very different ways and reminding us that the future belongs to those willing to rethink the rules. (1)(7)(8)(9)


For more information, visit Slate Auto's official website: https://www.slate.auto/.

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Image Credit: Slate


Sources:

(3) Wired

(4) CNET

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