Slate wants to build more than just a cheap truck

By Varun Mirchandani Published January 31, 2026

Electric vehicle startup Slate Auto may have grabbed headlines with its ultra-affordable electric pickup, but it doesn’t intend to stop there. In a recent interview with InsideEVs, CEO Chris Barman said that while the company’s first model, a stripped-down EV truck designed to cost in the “mid-$20,000” range, still needs a final price and production ramp-up, Slate aspires to build additional electric vehicles beyond its debut model.

The first Slate truck, a compact rear-motor, two-door electric pickup with an optional extended range battery, has quickly become one of the EVs to look forward to, which is expected to start production toward the end of 2026 at a Midwestern U.S. plant. Slate claimed more than 150,000 refundable reservations late last year, roughly matching the company’s targeted maximum annual output once production peaks in 2027.

Although the actual price tag is still being finalized, Barman told reporters that building tools to deliver the lowest possible MSRP remains a high priority. Even without final pricing, the Slate truck’s design philosophy is clear: less complexity and more customer-driven customization. Buyers can start with a bare-bones “Blank Slate” and add accessories like wraps, wheels, or even a kit to turn the truck into a five-seat SUV by paying extra.

That modular, customer-driven mindset may also inform the models Slate plans to explore next. Barman said Slate isn’t limiting its ambitions to just one electric vehicle: as the company learns from production, sales, and customer feedback, it hopes to expand its lineup. That could include other body styles or vehicle segments that maintain the startup’s focus on affordability and simplicity, although details and timelines remain unconfirmed.

Slate’s approach contrasts sharply with most mainstream EV makers, which often launch high-end models before trickling features down to cheaper trims. Slate flipped that script by launching a basic, minimal-feature truck first: a move that earned both attention and skepticism. If it succeeds, the startup could carve out a niche among buyers who prioritize price and practicality over luxury extras. Whether Slate will deliver on a broader vehicle lineup depends on production scale, supplier relationships, and demand consistency through the next few years. But the CEO’s public comments clearly signal that the company wants to be a platform for practical, low-cost electric mobility across multiple vehicle types.