Emerging US startup Slate plans to launch a budget-friendly, customisable electric pickup truck, directly competing with Ford’s upcoming EV in a rapidly evolving market landscape.
The arrival of Slate, an emerging American electric vehicle startup, has sparked a noticeable new wave of interest in the compact electric pickup truck market. Slate’s goal is to shake things up with an affordable, straightforward electric truck built around utility and customization, with a target price in the mid-$20,000s. They’re aiming to launch around late 2026, which means this truck could pose a real challenge to established automakers like Ford — which itself is working on a competitively priced electric truck expected to roll out in early 2027.
What’s interesting is that Slate’s approach is quite different from the conventional automaker route. While Ford plans to produce a feature-packed electric truck starting at about $30,000—aiming for a pretty handy mix of tech and comfort—Slate emphasizes minimalism and modularity. Their truck comes with basic manual controls, roll-down windows, and—here’s the kicker—no built-in infotainment system unless you add one as an accessory. The design features injection-molded composite body panels with color injected directly into the plastic, removing the need for traditional paint jobs and complex stamping machinery. That way, manufacturing is simplified, and Slate hopes they can get to market faster. Jeremy Snyder, their COO, highlights that their vehicle is targeting what he calls the “other 70%” — those folks underserved by today’s EV options, which tend to focus on wealthier, more tech-savvy buyers in the top 30%.
The Slate truck also features a modular design. Buyers can convert the two-door, two-seat pickup into a five-seat SUV simply by installing accessory kits—so, lots of room for customization. Power-wise, it has a rear-wheel-drive electric motor putting out 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The EPA estimates a base range of about 150 miles from its 52.7 kWh battery. Want more range? An optional larger battery bumps that up to roughly 240 miles. Towing capacity isn’t huge—around 1,000 pounds—but it boasts a decent payload of 1,433 pounds. Plus, it includes a front trunk of about 7 cubic feet, offering extra storage space.
On the other hand, Ford’s upcoming electric truck, developed under CEO Jim Farley and set to be built in a repurposed plant in Kentucky, promises to blend affordability with modern tech and comfort. The expected starting price hovers around $30,000, and Ford is not skimping on features — technologies like BlueCruise for hands-free driving are expected to be standard. Their new modular platform aims to streamline manufacturing, cutting down the variety of parts needed. This could theoretically reduce issues like recalls and delays that often plague complex new vehicle programs.
While both trucks are expected to arrive around the same time, their visions for what an electric truck should be are pretty different. According to industry analysts like Sam Abuelsamid at Telemetry, Ford’s offering might actually provide more overall value and comfort for just a little extra cash, potentially overshadowing Slate’s minimalist setup. Also, it’s worth noting that Ford’s Maverick, which is available as a gasoline-powered vehicle now and will soon be electric, already provides many features at a similar price point—including a higher towing capacity of 2,000 pounds compared to Slate’s 1,000, and more traditional comfort elements.
Slate’s manufacturing site, located in a converted 1.4 million-square-foot printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana, is still very much in the early stages of transformation. Interestingly enough, their timeline isn’t far behind Ford’s retooling efforts, and the simplicity of Slate’s design could actually give them an advantage in ramping up production more quickly—since fewer complex processes are involved.
Plus, their focus on personalization—custom accessories like roof racks, lift kits, and even basic audio setups—might appeal to a niche market segment that loves standing out and valuing user-installed mods. Still, skeptics argue that surviving in such a competitive space—where most traditional buyers prefer all-in-one, dealer-backed features—won’t be easy.
In the grand scheme, these two trucks symbolize a bigger industry challenge: how to balance affordability, functionality, and tech in a rapidly electrifying market. Slate is chasing that underserved segment with a rugged and adaptable product, while Ford, leveraging its manufacturing prowess, brand strength, and financial muscle, aims to cover the budget-friendly but feature-rich corner. Honestly, it’ll be fascinating to see which approach wins favor with consumers after they hit the market and how each company deals with the realities of EV production and delivery in the coming years.
Source: Noah Wire Services
