Slate, a Michigan-based automaker backed by Amazon's Jeff Bezos, has offered a modular 'blank slate' electric vehicle without electric windows, a radio, or infotainment screens, priced at under $25,000. Considering that the company has already received over 160,000 bookings, are people craving minimalism in their cars?Saying modern cars are loaded with tech would be an understatement. From massaging seats and 360-degree cameras to multiple ambient lighting options, too many settings could ruin the driving experience to the point where all that one may choose is to just drive their vehicle and not touch anything else.Our minds are so occupied that there's hardly any mental energy left at the end of the day to troubleshoot why your smartphone won't sync with the infotainment system. At that point, you're reminded what it was like to simply enjoy the drive home from work without any hassles, a feeling that's even better on a Friday.Slate may have grasped that feeling better than anyone else, and it could very well spark a revolution in the automotive industry, ensuring that cars remain cars and trucks remain trucks. A press release by the company confirmed that it had received more than 180,000 pre-orders, and delivery is set to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt would be wrong to judge that Slate won't offer customization options because the company has excluded certain features. Their website highlights numerous options to customize the vehicle according to customer design preferences- from the wrap color to the body panels. Some tech, like a Bluetooth stereo and power windows, are optional extras that can also be added for an extra price. But the core product remains raw.Slate, then, could be on a mission to revive the art of simply enjoying the drive without breaking the bank. Their website states:"A Slate is a radically simple vehicle, for lots of reasons."We set out to make the most affordable new vehicle possible. We miss the days when a truck was just a truck. We like looking at a road, not a screen. We don't like paying for stuff we don't need. We like picking out the stuff we do need. We know not everyone likes what we like. We want our cars to work with our phones, not the other way around. We engineered it to last a long time. We made more room for people and cargo, precious and otherwise. We decided it should cater to your taste, not ours. AdvertisementAdvertisement"So if you need a great, no hassle, daily driver that you can dial in to your taste and budget, a Slate is worth a look. That said, even with all the ways you can personalize it, a Slate is not for everyone. If you need to win drag races or towing contests or want a self-driving spaceship, a Slate is not for you. But even then, it does make a great second car. Just saying."