NEW YORK: A fledgling US start-up backed by Amazon chief Jeff Bezos has unveiled a new low-cost pick-up truck that can easily be converted into an SUV.
The Slate Truck is "a radically simple electric pick-up truck that can change into whatever you need it to be – even an SUV," the Indiana-based company says.
US online magazine TechCrunch described the Slate Truck as "about as anti-Tesla as it gets" because it eschews much of the modern tech that makes other battery-electrics, like those from Tesla, so expensive.
"We are building the affordable vehicle that has long been promised but never been delivered," Slate chief executive Chris Barman said at the unveiling late in April.
The radical concept is said to have convinced Amazon head Jeff Bezos, one of the world's richest men, to back the project.
Slate Truck's base model known as the "Blank Slate" comes without an infotainment screen, speakers or even electric windows on board.
The vehicle is out-shopped with an unpainted grey polypropylene exterior which clads its underlying steel structure. Vinyl wraps sre the only offered way to change the exterior colour.
The idea is for the buyer to customise the pick-up using a choice of 100 different accessories.
"When your needs change, you don’t need to buy a new truck, you can make your Slate into something new. It’s a two-door pick-up that you have the option to change into a 5-seat SUV, for example," said Slate.
These includes two canopy versions which are claimed to be easy to fit. Once either is in place, the owner can choose to fit a second row of seating which would turn the Slate Truck into a compact two-door SUV.
The company said it will start selling the Slate in the US next year at under US$20,000 (RM87,000) after federal tax credit. Interested buyers can already place a US$50 (RM217) refundable reservation on the company’s website.
Technically, the Slate Truck is basic too. Its single motor is rated at 200hp and its gets power from either a standard 52.7kWh battery or an optional 84.3kWh pack. Range is given at 241km but extendable to 240km with a battery pack.
Safety is not neglected and the pick-up comes as standard with some federally mandated features like automatic emergency braking, airbags and a reverse camera.
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