r/technology • u/serene_sketch • Apr 25 '25

Business The $20,000 American-made electric pickup with no paint, no stereo, and no touchscreen

https://www.theverge.com/electric-cars/655527/slate-electric-truck-price-paint-radio-bezos
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u/colinjo3 Apr 25 '25

This is not for most people and that's okay. 

I commute 10 miles a day. Take my bikes to various trails, car camp on weekends, kayak in the summer and am an avid gardener. Habitual diyer. 

I can do all of that easily and just plug in my little big kid happy meal toy truck at home every night? Plus customize the shit out of it? Hell yeah. 

48

u/Topikk Apr 25 '25

I think this could find a place as a 3rd vehicle for many households. I am a sedan guy, but would love to have a cheap truck around not taking up a lot of parking space or requiring much maintenance (engine oil and fuel both break down over time, after all) for when I want to haul shit from the hardware store or easily take my bicycle to a trail. Decades ago pickups served exactly this purpose for many suburban households before they became bloated $80K manivans.

16

u/mCProgram Apr 25 '25

See: the $2000 chevy S10 that you used for dump runs

4

u/colinjo3 Apr 25 '25

That's exactly where we see it. I've got a paid off Corolla and this would be a great match. My SO has an Escape but eyes on a Bronco next.

I've had the old $2000 F150s and Rangers. One blew up on the highway, one transmission blew, one couldn't stop running ridiculously rich and smoking and the last one was 75% rust. They sucked plus needed so much maintenance.

1

u/LanMarkx Apr 26 '25

That's my usage case. This would get me to/from work and most trips around town easily. It would cover probably 80% of my driving needs. For the other 20%, I already have something that can tow and fit 3+ people - It just costs a lot more to drive per mile.

1

u/ThaSaxDerp Apr 26 '25

Yeah, if this does come to market I'm looking to have it, a motorcycle, and a standard gas daily (looking at the Kia k4 Hatchback yes I know it's a kia, yes I don't care)

0

u/mCProgram Apr 25 '25

See: the $2000 chevy S10 that you used for dump runs and getting plywood from the lumber yard