Slate EV Truck Skips 4WD Support at Launch [Confirmed]

Slate has officially confirmed that its upcoming Blank Slate modular electric truck will debut exclusively with a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive configuration, omitting all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive options from its sub-$25,000 launch build ahead of anticipated customer deliveries. According to verified reports from Engadget, the Michigan-based electric vehicle startup designed the Blank Slate to aggressively lower EV adoption barriers, stripping away luxury items like power speakers and automated windows to establish a rock-bottom base price of $24,950. Beneath its minimalist shell, the vehicle packs a capable 135 kW electric motor delivering 181 horsepower, 195 lb-ft of torque, and a 2,000-pound towing capacity that mirrors entry-level utility haulers like the Ford Maverick hybrid. However, off-road enthusiasts and heavy-duty utility drivers face serious limitations due to the initial two-wheel-drive locked layout and an estimated 205-mile battery range. Community leaks from private fan forums indicate that company engineers do plan to introduce an all-wheel-drive dual-motor variant in subsequent production waves. For tech-savvy builders comparing budget hardware setups or following entertainment drops like the [Wonderful Neoran Valley: New Roguelite Trailer Drops [Confirmed]](/news/wonderful-neoran-valley-trailer-reveal), this modular utility launch proves that competitive pricing often demands significant mechanical compromises at checkout.