Engadget's hands-on look at the modular electric Slate Truck highlights a business reality: the $24,950 base price is only the entry point. Their recommended build, styled after a 1970s Ford Bronco, comes to nearly $40,000 before adding several accessories Slate has not yet priced. That gap between entry-level and fully equipped is where the company's revenue potential lies, but it also creates a risk of sticker shock for buyers.
The build uses Slate's squareback SUV conversion, which raises the starting price to $29,950, then adds wraps, decals, bumpers, wheels, a roof rack, speakers, and interior upgrades. Engadget notes that the potential for upsell overspending is real. Several items, including the lift kit and some interior accents, have no announced price, so the final cost of a loaded truck is still unknown.
Range is another trade-off. Slate estimates 205 miles for the base pickup, and Engadget expects worse for the heavier SUV build. That limits the truck's appeal for long road trips, even if the modular approach lets buyers tailor the vehicle to their tastes. The source is a single editorial feature, not a company announcement, so figures reflect Engadget's configurator experience rather than official pricing for every option.