03:30 08-07-2026

Slate EV Is Affordable Only Stripped Down: Options Can Nearly Double the Price

The Blank Slate pickup starts at $24,950, but a fully loaded Fastback SUV climbs to $46,493 in the configurator — almost twice the base price.

Slate is betting on a sales model that's unusual for electric vehicles: buyers take an almost bare base truck and build it up through a sprawling catalog of options. The catch is that all this flexibility inflates the final sticker in a hurry.

The entry-level Blank Slate pickup starts at $24,950. The more practical Squareback SUV opens at $29,950, while the Fastback SUV begins at $31,950. To show how it adds up, the priciest body style was chosen and loaded with every available accessory.

The price started climbing right at the exterior. A full wrap runs $499, the Grit and Grind decor package adds another $1099, and individual decals reach up to $589. Upgraded front and rear lighting tack on $349 and $499, and an extra off-road roof light adds $799.

Inside, it's the same story. Because Slate was conceived as a simple base platform, many comfort items have to be bought separately: door panels, armrests, speakers, the tablet mount that effectively stands in for an infotainment screen, and other bits.

The bottom line: a fully loaded Slate Fastback SUV reaches $46,493 in the configurator. That's $14,543 above the Fastback's own starting price and nearly double the base pickup.