There is a funny thing about modern pickup trucks. Somewhere along the way, they became rolling living rooms with massage seats, giant screens, enough chrome to blind low-flying aircraft, and price tags that make a mortgage broker sit up straight.Slate seems to have looked at all that and asked a much simpler question: what if a truck was just a truck again?Slate TruckOn June 24, Slate opened reservations/pre-orders for its electric pickup, and the whole idea feels almost rebellious in today's market. This is not a luxury EV pretending to be a work vehicle. It starts life as a bare-bones, two-seat electric pickup truck with a refreshingly simple personality. No need to compare it with a six-figure electric spaceship. In fact, you do not have to own a Tesla to park at a Tesla Supercharger anymore, and with this little thing, you may still look cooler than a Cybertruck owner for a fraction of the money.AdvertisementAdvertisementSlate says its drivers will have access to Tesla Superchargers, which it calls "the largest national network of fast chargers," with more than 27,500 charging stalls coast to coast. That could become one of the truck's biggest practical advantages. If the price stays as friendly as promised, this may end up being one of the most commonly seen non-Tesla pickups at Tesla charging stations.Slate CompanyThe charm is not just in the charging port, though. Visually, the Slate has a square, honest, almost toy-like shape. There is a hint of the old International Scout II in there, not because it copies the legend, but because it shares the same straight-backed, no-nonsense attitude. It looks like something you could hose down, wrap in a strange color, and take somewhere dusty without having to apologize to the leather seats.That last part matters because personalization is central to the Slate idea. The truck is meant to be a starting point, not the final form. Through Slate's customization program, buyers can configure it as a basic pickup, an SUV, or even a fastback-style SUV-Coupe. In other words, it starts as a blank canvas and then lets owners decide how weird, useful, or weekend-ready they want it to become.That makes it very different from the traditional American pickup formula. The upcoming 2027 Chevrolet Silverado will likely continue the big-truck tradition with serious capability, big engines, and plenty of screen-heavy tech. The Slate goes in the opposite direction. It is smaller, simpler, electric, and almost proudly underdressed.SlateIt also sits far away from something like the Subaru Forester, which has spent years building its reputation on sensible family utility and all-weather confidence. The Slate is not trying to be that polished. It is more like a small electric runabout with a bed, a square jaw, and a sense of humor.AdvertisementAdvertisementAnd honestly, that may be exactly why people are paying attention. In a market obsessed with bigger, heavier, and more complicated machines, Slate is betting that some buyers still want the automotive equivalent of a good old pair of work boots.Only this time, the boots plug in.This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.