Is Slate’s 20,000 Euro Electric Car a Chimera?

The Slate, a small electric pickup backed by Jeff Bezos and announced from 20,000 euros, intrigues as much as it raises questions.

Marketed as an ultra-simple electric vehicle designed for basic utility tasks, the Slate aims to shake up the American market in 2026 with a clear promise: a no-frills vehicle, customizable according to the real needs of buyers.

At first glance, the idea appeals with its common sense and the rather nice look of the pickup. However, during its launch, some observers expressed cautious optimism towards this spartan vehicle, which has no screen, no speakers, manual windows, and only two seats. For part of the public, especially urban or professional, this basic functional concept makes sense; but is this really the target audience for the Slate?

Several experts remain skeptical. The CEO of RAM, Tim Kuniskis, interviewed by CNBC, strongly doubts that the electric customer will settle for such a stripped-down model. “As soon as people start adding options, we quickly reach $35,000. And at that price, we are in direct competition with well-established compact pickups like the Ford Ranger,” he explains. He claims that RAM has already considered this type of vehicle “a million times” before giving up, deeming the model unviable.

Slate remains vague in its numbers

Other critics point out the reality of the numbers. Even including the very generous American tax credit of $7,500, the actual price of an entry-level Slate exceeds $22,000. And for this amount, one gets a vehicle with a limited range of about 225 km, no touchscreen, no automatic air conditioning, and no modern comfort features. A new illustration of the fact that it is currently difficult, if not impossible, to produce an electric vehicle for 20,000 euros that can compete with a thermal vehicle of the same price. But this truth of today will not be that of tomorrow!

Supporters of the project emphasize that the Slate relies on an inverted logic: to provide a minimalist base that everyone can customize in their own way, without paying for unnecessary bundled options. A custom paint job costs 500 euros, while a standalone Bluetooth speaker costs around a hundred. This could attract an audience looking for a simple and economical tool.

The success of the concept will therefore depend on buyers’ ability to accept minimalism… or not.

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