While the Slate Truck’s low base price has been the lead talking point for the little EV, it has a bunch of other noteworthy features. One of the most interesting is that the same vehicle can basically transform from a regular-cab pickup to a two-row, two-door SUV with a roll bar, roof, and rear bench. Slate even has two different designs to choose from. This also presented the obvious question: What else could it become?
The answer to that question seems to be: cargo vans.
You Can Pick From Not One, But Two Different Cargo Options
Instagram account Slate Auto Blog reported that Slate will offer two cargo variants, citing Slate Government Sales Lead (and former member of Fleet Business Development team) Christian Kreipke. Those roof options will be either the standard squared-off SUV roof, but also a more van-like high-roof version that would extend over the pickup roof. This one would presumably allow for people to fully stand up inside the cargo area and accommodate particularly bulky items. Additionally, these options will be available with either no windows, regular windows, or lift-open windows, depending on whether additional security or accessibility are needed.
2027 Slate SUV “The Highway Hero” exteriorSlate Auto
The Instagram account went on to say that the base price for the cargo roof option will be $3,000. We assume that will be for the standard SUV roof, since the full SUV kit with a roll bar and seats is currently the cheapest optional body style at $5,000 more than the base Truck. We’re also assuming the cost savings is because the cargo version of the SUV roof won’t have to come with the roll bar and seats. Apparently, the cargo options will be available to private customers, not just fleets.
We’ve also reached out to Slate for confirmation and any other details about this new roof option. We haven’t received a reply at the time of publishing, but if we do get a response, we’ll be sure to update this post.
Slate TruckIan Wright/CarBuzz/Valnet
Is This A Good Idea?
This might actually be Slate’s best idea for becoming a success story, yet. While there’s appeal in a low-priced EV, for private customers, something like a Chevy Bolt or Nissan Leaf will likely fit their needs with more features, refinement, and four doors with seating for five, even if they’re slightly more expensive. As for commercial buyers, a pickup truck has merit, but there are plenty of low-cost truck options out there, especially the Ford Maverick, and those won’t require charging. Also, for many businesses, an open, unsecured bed isn’t useful, and the regular SUV roof would probably be a bit inconvenient.
2027 Ram ProMaster City Tradesman from the front three-quarter angleRam
When it comes to compact vans, though, a Slate would be effectively unopposed. Ford, Ram, Chevy, and Nissan have all abandoned the segment. Ram is bringing back the ProMaster City, but it’s bigger and more expensive than it used to be. Ram has pointed out that many small van buyers are ready to get something new and don’t want to go to a full-size van, and we’re betting that while some will opt for the Ram, some may also want to stick to something smaller, and electrification could be its own selling point.
As for electric vans, the Slate even looks impressive compared with its closest competitor, the Ford E-Transit and Ram ProMaster EV. While smaller, the Slate will likely have a better range, as the Truck has an estimated 205-mile range to the Ford’s 159-mile range and Ram’s maximum 180 miles. They also start at more than $45,000 to the Slate’s roughly $30,000 price tag. Certainly they can carry more and already have up-fitter support, but the Slate makes a compelling case for fleets looking for a low-cost electric van with decent range.
2027 Slate SUV “The Highway Hero” exteriorSlate Auto
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Slate has relatively ambitious targets for sales, and with its initial body style designs, we had concerns about whether they’d be possible. We think this van variant could be what makes it possible. This will allow them to target multiple types of fleet buyers, plus niche private customers looking for something cheap and unusual. We could also see other companies looking into their own custom roof options for more specialized purposes, possibly camping, which could drive additional sales. Not only that, but we could see investor Jeff Bezos’s company Amazon being interested in buying up some of these to supplement its fleet of Rivian delivery vans.
Slate’s game plan is starting to make sense, but time will tell whether it works out in reality.
