Slate EV to take on Elon Musk's Tesla; what to know about the Jeff Bezos-backed EV
There is a new entry in the tightening electric vehicle market, as the budget-friendly, Jeff Bezos-backed Slate EV will soon be available for purchase.
But is Bezos' Slate any good? Here's what the Slate looks like, how much it costs and when you can buy one.
At its core, the Slate EV is a two-door pickup that can be transformed into an SUV.
Slate officials said the new EV was designed in California and Michigan, and assembled in the midwest using domestically-sourced parts.
Motor Trend released an in-depth look at the Slate EV on its YouTube channel.
According to its website, the Slate EV pickup will run you roughly $20,000, which is about $20,000 less than a Rivian R2 and Elon Musk's Tesla Model 3.
For that $20,000, you get a 150KW single rear-mounted motor; a standard battery with an estimated 150-mile range; a five-foot truck bed; backup camera; and forward collision warning.
The battery in the Slate is said to fully charge in up to eight hours, but could reach an 80% charge level in 30 minutes.
That bargain price does mean the Slate comes without the bells, whistles and infotainment technology you may be looking for.
The Slate has no infotainment panel, and Bluetooth is not available. Instead, you are supposed to bring your own devices to provide the infotainment while driving the Slate. The Slate comes with brackets to hold your phone, tablet and Bluetooth speaker.
As such, the Slate does not come equipped with either Android Auto nor Apple's CarPlay.
The Slate itself is about the size of a 1985 Toyota SR5 Pickup and about half the size of a Chevrolet Silverado EV, officials said.
You can reserve a Slate now for $50, but you won't be able to lease it when it becomes available. Slate hasn't announced when actual vehicles will be ready for purchasing, but the Slate will be delivered to your door when they do become available.
Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jeff Bezos launches EV to challenge Musk's Tesla; here's how to get it
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