Who said work-capable electric utes couldn’t come cheap?
North American automotive startup, Slate Auto, has revealed pricing for its bespoke EV ute and SUV twins, known as the Slate Truck, Slate Squareback and Slate Fastback.
All three of Slate Auto’s products are expected to launch in North America by the fourth quarter of 2026, with pricing now confirmed to start from $US24,950 before on-road costs for the Slate Truck, $US29,950 for the Squareback, and $US31,950 for the Fastback.
That works out to about $AU36,000, $43,500 and $46,500 respectively, which is competitive with Australia’s single-cab, rear-drive segment leaders – the $33,990 Toyota Hilux Workmate Manual 4×2 and $37,130 Ford Ranger XL Hi-Rider Auto 4×2.
But where both of Australia’s basic entry-level utes run on diesel fuel, the Slate Truck is fully electric – something Hilux only offers at a comparatively colossal $74,990, and Ranger doesn’t offer at all, instead marketing a similarly costly $71,990 plug-in hybrid dual-cab.
So, what’s the catch? Slate’s products are spread across a modular EV platform which focuses on providing a customisable ‘Blank Slate’ to be optioned as required – meaning the base car offers no radio, no touchscreen, no speakers, and… no paint!
Other features from yesteryear seen in the ‘Blank Slate’ include hand-crank windows, cloth seats, and physical climate controls. Modern creature comforts seen in the base car are limited to cruise control, a small digital instrument cluster, and a mobile phone holder.
Slate claims that its base-model truck is designed with cost-effectiveness in mind, stating that buyers can option only what they need from a list of over 200 accessories, 80 percent of which are priced below $US500 ($AU750).
Highlight optional accessories include a digital infotainment touchscreen, speakers, headlight covers, roof racks, light bars, tub covers and more. The option of exterior paint is forgone in favour of vinyl wrap, something Slate claims will cost under $US500 and will take “just hours” to have professionally applied.
The Slate’s EV powertrain is underpinned by a 63kWh battery and rear electric motor with 135kW/264Nm. Currently, Slate does not offer the option of all-wheel drive – something roughly 90 percent of Australian ute buyers choose (based upon 2026 VFACTs vehicle sales data).
Combined driving range is quoted at 330km, while charging from 20-80 percent takes about 30 minutes. Slate has not provided an official testing standard for either figure.
The Slate Truck also falls short of Australia’s haulage demands, offering a payload of 1550lbs (700kg) and maximum braked towing capacity of 2000lbs (900kg) – some 300kg and 2600kg short of the 1000kg payload and 3500kg braked tow targets benchmarked by most local carmakers for their utes.
But the Slate Truck isn’t trying to be a commercial vehicle with a lifestyle side gig. It represents a deliberate rejection of vehicle excess, a stripped-down, back-to-basics, unpretentious EV could easily become an instant classic – especially if it drives well.
Unfortunately, there are currently no plans for the North American EV ute startup brand to introduce its products to Australia. Yet being electric (and simple) means right-hand drive wouldn’t be difficult, and we’re clearly a ute-literate market – as is the UK.
