Will anyone buy this cheap EV truck with hand-crank windows and no radio?

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on The Wall Street Journal or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Slate Auto, a Michigan-based EV startup backed by Jeff Bezos, is launching a minimalist, two-seat electric pickup truck with hand-crank windows, no radio, and a starting price in the mid-$20,000s
• The model aims to prove that affordable electric vehicles can be profitable despite its intentionally spartan features

🔭 The context: Affordable EVs have largely vanished from the U.S. market as prices for battery-electric cars and trucks have surged
• Slate Auto’s truck sacrifices modern amenities to hit a low price point, targeting cost-conscious buyers and fleet operators seeking simple, electric utility vehicles
• The company also offers $500 vinyl wraps for exterior customization instead of standard paint, reflecting a focus on modular, low-cost design

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: By providing a low-cost, all-electric alternative to traditional gas-powered pickups, Slate Auto could expand EV adoption among drivers who otherwise could not afford electrification
• Even modest EV adoption reduces tailpipe emissions, contributing to lower greenhouse gas outputs in the transportation sector, which accounts for a significant portion of U.S. carbon emissions

⏭️ What’s next: Slate Auto plans to begin production later in 2026, with market reception still uncertain
• Success could encourage other automakers to explore ultra-affordable EVs, potentially accelerating the transition away from fossil-fuel vehicles in cost-sensitive segments

💬 One quote: “Americans are fed up with high car prices, and we want to prove that EVs don’t have to cost a fortune to be loved.” – Ryan Felton, WSJ report

📈 One stat: Slate Auto’s EV truck starts in the mid-$20,000 range, roughly half the cost of many contemporary electric pickup trucks, making it one of the most affordable EV trucks in the U.S. market

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