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- Jeff Bezos-backed automaker unveils affordable EV pickup truck (foxbusiness.com)
Bezos-Backed EV Startup Unveils Bare-Bones Pickup
Slate Auto, an electric vehicle startup backed by Jeff Bezos, has revealed a minimalist pickup truck designed to appeal to budget-conscious buyers. The base model features a strikingly simple dashboard, manual crank windows, and a phone mount in place of a built-in infotainment system.
While the vehicle lacks standard speakers, they can be added, along with a variety of other accessories. The truck also comes unpainted, giving buyers the option to customize its appearance with wraps.
An available kit allows owners to transform the two-seater pickup into a five-seat SUV.
Two battery options are available: a 52.7-kilowatt-hour battery with a targeted range of 150 miles and an 84.3 kWh battery aiming for 240 miles. The pickup boasts a 5-foot-long cargo bed with 35.1 cubic feet of space, plus a 7-cubic-foot front trunk.
Slate is currently accepting refundable $50 reservations for the truck, with deliveries anticipated in late 2026. The company aims to price the base model under $20,000 after the $7,500 federal clean vehicle tax credit.
Slate Auto emerged from Re:Build Manufacturing, founded by Jeff Wilke, former CEO of Amazon’s worldwide consumer business. The company secured $111 million in Series A funding in 2023.
Melinda Lewison, who manages Jeff Bezos’ family office, is listed as a director. Reports also suggest the company closed a Series B funding round last year.
While distinct from the Tesla Cybertruck in both appearance and price, Slate’s entry into the EV market could add another layer to the ongoing rivalry between Bezos and Elon Musk, who already compete in the space industry with Blue Origin and SpaceX.
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- Jeff Bezos-backed automaker unveils affordable EV pickup truck (foxbusiness.com)