Jeff Bezos-backed Slate Truck: compact EV pickup tested in Nevada heat

Michigan-based startup Slate Auto, backed by Jeff Bezos, is gearing up to launch its first electric pickup, the compact Slate Truck. The company has released a test video from the Nevada desert, where engineers are checking how the batteries and motors handle extreme heat. In the footage, the truck tows trailers up grades and hauls cargo in temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, putting the cooling systems through their paces. That emphasis on thermal durability under load feels like a sensible priority for a vehicle aimed at real work, not just urban errands.

The Slate Truck is a small two-seat pickup measuring 4.43 meters in length, comparable to a Nissan Leaf, yet with a full five-meter body. An electric motor rated at 201 hp and a 52.7-kWh battery deliver about 240 kilometers of range, while the extended 84.3-kWh pack stretches that to up to 385 kilometers. Fast charging via the NACS connector (compatible with Tesla) takes the battery from 20 to 80 percent in about half an hour.

The base price, after adjustments, is expected to land around $27,000. Buyers will be offered personalization options: vinyl wraps and a kit that turns the pickup into an SUV with three body styles—standard, fastback, or a roofless version. The modular approach looks designed to widen appeal without overcomplicating the lineup.

Slate Truck shows how electric vehicles are becoming more accessible and more daring. If the project reaches series production, the market could get a genuine alternative to pricier pickups like the Rivian R1T and the Cybertruck.