CEO of Michigan-based EV startup backed by Jeff Bezos reveals secret to $25,000 pickups

Slate Auto – the new EV startup that’s been backed by billionaire Amazon-founder Jeff Bezos – has revealed the secret to its super-cheap $25,000 pickup trucks.

Slate Auto is a new Michigan-based EV startup that is sure to ruffle a few feathers with its budget $25,000 pickups. 

Slate has said just one model of its EV will be available – dubbed the ‘Blank Slate’ – but it can be customized in plenty of ways. 

Slate CEO Chris Barman says it’s this business model that sets it apart from other EV makers.

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The EV startup is seriously undercutting the competition

With more and more carmakers boosting their EV offerings, all-electric pickup trucks are nothing new. 

However, current EV pickups aren’t exactly cheap, with models like the Tesla Cybertruck and Rivian R1S costing around the $100,000 point. 

So, when Slate burst onto the scene with its $25,000, it managed to draw plenty of attention. 

In fact, it even drew attention from Amazon founder and former richest man in the world, Jeff Bezos who has backed the startup. 

As you might have guessed from its price point, the Slate EV doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles you’d find on the Cybetruck or RS1 – but its secret lies in its next-level customizability. 

“A radically simple electric pickup truck that can change into whatever you need it to be — even an SUV,” Slate Auto explained on its site.

“Made in the USA at a price that’s actually affordable (no really, for real).”

The Jeff Bezos backed pickup trucks are all about customization

Slate CEO Chris Barman told Business Insider that its no-frill model allows customers to decide what options and extras they want and can afford. Sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it?

The EV pickup also allows customers to include new options and accessories at any point in the truck’s life, not just when they’re purchasing it.

In practical terms, this means that if you’re in the market for an EV pickup truck but need to keep a tight rein on your budget, you can go for the most basic option, which doesn’t have a radio and has manual windows. 

However, you can make upgrades and additions to the vehicle, such as adding an infotainment system or getting it wrapped, later down the line. 

“It may be, they were single when they first purchased the truck, and they recently got married, and a few years later, they have, a family, and instead of having to exchange it out for a completely new vehicle, they can convert it into a five passenger SUV and continue to use the vehicle,” Barman said. 

Reservations for the EV are currently open with a refundable $50 fee.

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