CLEAN SLATE

The automotive world often progresses through incremental changes, even with ground-up redesigns.

- ADITYA UPADHYAULA @heelntoe

Apart from the occasional headline-grabbing hypercar, it's rare to see something that truly pushes boundaries. Enter the Slate Truck, the brainchild of a new startup promising to shake up the very foundations of personal mobility, particularly within the pickup truck segment. If initial reports and unveilings are anything to go by, this isn't just another electric vehicle; it might represent a paradigm shift on wheels.

In a market obsessed with ever-larger screens, complex driver aids, and a relentless pursuit of luxury, the Slate Truck appears almost deliberately basic. We're talking about a no-frills, two-seater pickup. In its base form, it features manual wind-up windows and notably lacks a built-in infotainment system. Instead, you get a simple phone mount — a clear invitation to bring your own device. This spartan approach, however, is precisely where the Slate Truck's disruptive potential lies, especially considering its targeted sub-$20,000 (₹ 17 Lakh) price tag (after potential US federal incentives). In a world where even entry-level cars seem to perpetually creep upwards in cost, this focus on affordability is a breath of fresh air.