This morning, Slate Auto officially announced pricing for its Slate electric truck. Ars will have some time with a prototype later today, along with—hopefully—answers to many of our remaining questions. In the meantime, we decided to play around with Slate’s online configurator to see how much you might actually have to pay for one of these exciting new EVs. As expected, Slate has managed to achieve a sub-$25,000 starting price; if you ignore things like taxes or the as-yet-unknown delivery charge, the Blank Slate pickup really does start at just $24,950.

The battery pack uses lithium iron phosphate cells, with 63 kWh useable energy (65 kWh gross) and a 181 hp (135 kW), 195 lb-ft (264 Nm) electric motor driving the rear wheels. In pickup configuration, with 17-inch steel wheels, the EPA range estimate is 205 miles (330 km). DC fast charging takes 30 minutes to charge from 20 to 80 percent at up to 120 kW via a NACS port, or four to 17 hours using AC, depending on whether you use a level 2 or simple wall socket.

Bare bones

And if you really want a bare-bones pickup, here is your chance. The first variant I mocked up this morning came in at just $25,289.97—plus pending taxes and fees—and that’s just because I spent a little over $300 on some decals to make the truck look like my favorite pair of sneakers.

As you go through each option on the configurator, a little icon tells you how easy or hard it should be to install that part yourself, what kind of tools you might need, and how long it might take. For the wraps, Slate points out that these can be a “big commitment for a DIYer. We’d recommend professional installation if you’re not sure you can tackle it.”

Slate Auto If you want an entirely gray truck, you can have that, too. If you want an entirely gray truck, you can have that, too. Slate Auto Slate Auto That’s pretty cheap. That’s pretty cheap. Slate Auto If you want an entirely gray truck, you can have that, too. Slate Auto That’s pretty cheap. Slate Auto

The work truck

For many people, a pickup truck exists solely as a work truck for tradespeople to carry tools and supplies to job sites. It needs only two doors, seating for two or maybe three if there’s a bench, and that’s it. And a no-nonsense work truck spec is possible at a sticker price still under $30,000. Below is one I made for $28,594.