Question for this community: I currently have a 1998 toyota tacoma and, frankly, love the compact pickup form factor. I’ve been wanting to move to an electric truck for years, but am not seeing many options… am I being an idiot, hoping for a unicorn?
- Slate looks attractive, but I’m hesitant about a first gen model from a brand new company. Maybe wait a year after release?
- Telo also looks good, but same issue.
- Ford Lightning is bigger than I’d prefer.
- There are some smaller builds, like the Pickman, but not being able to get on the highway
- I’ve also thought of paying for an electric conversion of my current truck, but that’s looking like $40k just to convert an already older vehicle that’s not in great shape.
My main needs are to have a full bed, 2 seats, top speed of ~55mph, and hopefully be less than $50k. I don’t care for any other modern amenities, crank windows and dumb systems are perfect, and don’t need much range. Am I hoping for too little for too little?


Is the range of the Slate fine for you? Slate has way more financial backing than Telo, so I’m expecting them to be easier to deal with for the next few years. If Slate actually ships vehicles this year AND they aren’t lemons, I’m still considering one next year.
Huge IF. Name one new model Detroit vehicle that isn’t garbage.
Slate’s got nothing to do with Detroit. Startup company, factory is in Indiana.