R450k Electric Bakkie? This US Startup Just Took a Swing at Toyota

Forget the hype around Rivian and Tesla – a new player just dropped a fully electric pickup truck starting at $24,950, and it's aiming straight for the heart of the bakkie market. Jislaaik. That’s cheaper than a decent used Hilux these days. But before you start planning how to ditch the diesel and trade in your trusty steed, let’s unpack this Californian startup, Slate, and whether their ‘Blank Slate’ electric pickup is actually a viable option for us here in Mzansi. ## So, What Exactly *Is* Slate? Slate isn’t your typical car manufacturer. These guys are trying something different. They're building a bakkie, yes, but they’re selling the *idea* of a bakkie you can fully customise, almost like building with Lego. They're based in Gardena, California, and they’re going direct-to-consumer – no fancy dealerships, no pushy salesmen trying to upsell you rust protection. Everything is about modularity and keeping costs down. They've even got a design center already up and running. It’s a pretty radical approach, especially in a market as traditional as the bakkie segment. It’s a bit like Nando’s offering you the chicken *and* the marinade – you build the flavour yourself. ## The Price is Right… But There's a Catch Okay, let’s talk money. The base price is $24,950. Now, that *sounds* lekker, right? But hold your horses, bru. That price doesn't include the destination and delivery fee – which, Slate admits, hasn’t even been finalised yet. And that’s just the beginning. Getting this thing to South Africa? Forget about it being cheap. We're talking hefty import duties, shipping costs, and all the other joys of bringing a vehicle into the country. Plus, let’s not forget the current rand/dollar exchange rate. You're likely looking at a final price that’ll put it in direct competition with a top-spec Toyota Hilux or Ford Ranger. Suddenly, that $24,950 doesn't look so befok anymore, does it? ## Range Anxiety? Not Quite – 205 Miles is That Enough? Slate's initial range estimate was a bit kak – just 150 miles. But they’ve upped the ante with a new LFP battery, now giving you 205 miles of range from its 63 kWh battery. That’s…okay. For a daily commute in Sandton, maybe. But if you’re planning a weekend trip to the Drakensberg or a braai in the Karoo, you’re going to be sweating. Thankfully, they’ve opted for a NACS port, which means it’ll work with Tesla’s Supercharger network – assuming we get enough Superchargers here, of course. They claim an 11-kW onboard AC charger can juice up the battery from empty to full in around four hours using Level 2 charging, which is decent. Still, range is a serious consideration in a country where load shedding is a daily reality. ## Customisation is King: Build Your Bakkie Your Way This is where Slate really tries to differentiate itself. Forget picking from a limited colour palette. They’ll paint every truck the same colour, then you add a wrap. They’re launching with 100 available colours, with 40 of them costing just $499. But it doesn’t stop there. You can add an SUV conversion kit (for $29,950, bringing the total to $54,850 before destination) or a fastback roof ($31,950). And the best part? Almost everything is user-installable. They say 33 percent of options are under $100, 50 percent under $250, and a whopping 80 percent under $500. Want a two-inch lift kit? You can have it. Want to lower it? Sorted. It’s a DIY enthusiast’s dream. ## Power & Performance: Does It Have Enough Oomph? Let’s be real, most bakkie buyers aren’t looking for a Formula 1 car. They want something that can haul stuff and get the job done. The Slate packs a single rear-wheel-drive electric motor producing 181 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. 0-60 mph is claimed to be 8.0 seconds, and it'll top out at 90 mph. Not exactly lightning fast, but enough to merge onto the highway without causing a traffic jam. They've also bumped up the payload to 1550 pounds for the pickup and 1263 pounds for the SUV. Towing capacity is 2000 pounds, but they recommend keeping it local. The suspension setup – MacPherson struts at the front and a De Dion axle at the rear – is interesting, and apparently makes for a smooth ride even on pockmarked roads. ## What Does This Mean for South Africa? This is the million-dollar question. A relatively affordable electric bakkie sounds amazing, but the reality is…complicated. Import duties alone will make it a tough sell. The lack of charging infrastructure outside major cities is another hurdle. And let's not forget the load shedding situation – owning an electric vehicle in SA right now requires a serious investment in backup power. However, if Slate can find a way to partner with a local manufacturer or assembly plant, it could potentially disrupt the market. The bed is just over five feet long, and the front trunk offers a decent 7 cubic feet of storage – enough for a couple of weekend bags. ## Is Slate a Game Changer or Just Another Startup? Look, Slate is doing some interesting things. The modular design, the focus on affordability, and the direct-to-consumer approach are all potentially game-changing. But the devil is in the details. Can they actually deliver on their promises? Can they scale up production to meet the 180,000 reservations they claim to have? And, most importantly, can they make it financially viable to sell this bakkie in a market like South Africa? Right now, it feels like a long shot. It’s a promising concept, but it's facing some serious headwinds. **Verdict:** Slate is a fascinating project with a lot of potential, but it’s still very early days. It's a bit too soon to call it a game-changer. It’s a lekker idea, but it needs a lot more than a low price tag to succeed in the South African market. So, Slate might not be dethroning the Hilux anytime soon. But what about the emerging Chinese EV bakkies? Are they the real threat to the established players? Click here to find out.