What I learned driving the Slate electric truck prototype

A short test drive

A writer drove a Slate prototype truck about 45 minutes, from southwest DC to Rockville, Maryland. The truck was already well used, with almost 6,000 miles (9,656 km) on it. Its inside looked like the planned production model, but the materials were rougher, with shiny black plastic and leftover Velcro used to hide the design during public testing.

Key facts

• The test drive lasted about 45 minutes.
• The truck had almost 6,000 miles (9,656 km) on the odometer.
• The truck is 68 inches (1.7 m) tall, about as tall as most crossover SUVs.
• The cabin has two seats.

How it feels to use

The writer says the truck is simple to use. The doors open with a mechanical handle, and the seat and steering wheel are adjusted by hand. The key fob starts the truck, and a column shifter picks the gear. Windows are cranked by hand, and three dials control heat, cold, and fan speed. There is no built-in navigation, so the writer would have used a phone mount.

Why it matters

The article suggests Slate is aiming for a low-cost, no-frills truck. Basic features like manual seats and windows are often removed from cheap cars to save money. The writer thinks this simple design could help Slate sell well.

What to watch

• Whether the final production truck keeps the simple layout shown in the prototype.
• Whether the finished interior uses better materials than the rough prototype.
• The final price, which the article does not give.