NEW YORK CITY — Slate, a startup developing a stripped-down electric pickup truck, brought a drivable prototype of its vehicle to a warehouse in New York City's West Village in early 2026. The company says the truck is designed for simplicity and customer customization, and the base model is expected to be priced in the mid-$20,000 range.

The prototype on display was finished in blue with a white roof and bright orange rims. All production models will come in slate gray by default, with optional vinyl wraps available for each body panel. The truck is about the same length as a two-door Ford Bronco, which measures 173.7 inches, according to the company.

The base Slate truck includes crank windows, no infotainment screen, and no built-in speakers for music. The interior features durable materials and a minimal center console, and the seats in the prototype offer little lumbar support. Drivers can add features such as infotainment screens and built-in speakers after purchase. An SUV package for the truck is expected to cost around $5,000, a company spokesperson said.

The truck uses fewer parts than traditional cars or other electric vehicles, according to the company. It is assembled in a small Indiana factory that uses a mix of human and robotic labor, and its battery is sourced in the United States. Jeff Jablansky, Slate's head of communications, said, "We're pretty well insulated from tariffs, and the tax credit was not part of our business plan. With far fewer parts, we're able to simplify the process."

Slate expects to announce final pricing in summer 2026. The company's design team includes Gus Bizyk as head of exterior design and Aaron Gould as head of interior design. Gould said, "The fact that it's electric is almost an afterthought; it's the least interesting thing because of how cool the product is, just on its own. People are really looking for an affordable and adaptable vehicle."

Slate's pitch has attracted high-profile backers, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Some automakers have scaled back electric vehicle plans as demand for EVs has cooled. U.S. electric vehicle sales declined in January and February.