Amazon founder Jeff Bezos could rival Tesla CEO Elon Musk with a new range of affordable electric vehicles with the Slate Truck.
Slate, an American electric vehicle manufacturer backed by Jeff Bezos, has unveiled its Truck model, which was shrouded in secrecy and could directly target Tesla's dominance in the EV sector.
The Truck model will come equipped with an initial 52.7 kWh battery pack and a range target of 150 miles, although this could rise to 240 miles with an accessory 84.3 kWh pack.
Drivers will be able to charge the vehicle overnight at home using a standard household plug, or fast-charge 80 per cent of the battery in under 30 minutes.
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The Jeff Bezos-backed Slate Truck could challenge Elon Musk's Tesla Cybertruck
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The electric Slate Truck and SUV
SLATE
The Slate Truck has affordability as its primary aim, with an expected price of under $20,000 (£14,996) after federal incentives.
Motorists can get up to $7,500 (£5,623) off the price of a new electric vehicle in the United States, meaning the price would be closer to around £20,245.
The Truck will be manufactured at a reindustrialised factory in the United States, with drivers able to reserve the vehicle for just $50 or £37.50.
The electric pick-up truck will only be available in the United States, although there are hopes for a potential global rollout in the near future.
The Slate Truck is expected to cost around $20,000 after incentives
SLATE
The manufacturer describes itself as being "founded on a disruptive business model of simplifying the manufacturing process and removing unnecessary content to reduce cost and increase reliability".
Slate CEO Chris Barman said the definition of what is "affordable" for motorists is "broken".
He added: "Slate exists to put the power back in the hands of customers who have been ignored by the auto industry.
"Slate is a radical truck platform so customizable that it can transform from a 2-seat pickup to a 5-seat SUV."
Drivers will be able to make modifications to their Slate electric vehicles
SLATE
Jeff Bezos, who is estimated to be worth around $210billion (£157.4billion), is believed to have been an early investor in Slate Auto.
TechCrunch highlighted how Melinda Lewison, who is the current managing director of Bezos Expeditions, is listed as a director, according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
It is unknown how much Bezos has invested in the company, although Slate Auto raised at least $111million (£83.2million) in a Series A funding round in 2023.
The move could directly challenge Elon Musk and the Tesla Cybertruck, which is one of the most popular, if not infamous, electric pick-up trucks in the United States.
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The Slate Truck will have an electric range of up to 240 miles
SLATE
While the Tesla Cybertruck blends the view of a standard pick-up truck, it has been hit with criticism for its size and practicality as a truck for tradespeople.
Despite this, it has an impressive battery range of at least 301 miles, a towing capacity starting from 3,400kg and will set drivers back around $62,490 (£46,886).
