Slate Auto Truck vs. Ford Ranchero EV: The battle for the budget electric pickup

As electric pickups continue to proliferate in the upper price ranges, two emerging entries are quietly preparing to upend the market—not with outrageous specs or six-figure MSRPs, but with smart packaging, attainable pricing, and bold ideas about what a pickup should be. Meet the Slate Auto Truck and the rumored Ford Ranchero EV—a startup challenger and a legacy comeback.

So how do they stack up? Here’s what we know so far.

(Editor’s note: On November 11th, Ford announced Ford Universal EV Platform and Ford Universal EV Production System, which will be the framework for the Ford Ranchero. We’ve updated this post to reflect that, but most of it remains speculation since Ford hasn’t announced details, or a name, of the new truck. We also have a list of everything we know about the truck.)

Price and positioning: A tale of two philosophies

Slate Auto is gunning for the ultra-budget buyer. Backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and other high-profile investors, the Slate Truck was originally pitched at under $20,000 post-incentives. While the EV tax credit rollback pushed it closer to $27,500, it still aims to be by far the cheapest electric pickup on the market. Slate’s strategy? Cut everything nonessential, offer an ultra-minimal base, and let buyers customize as they go.

On the other hand, Ford hasn’t released pricing on the Ranchero EV, but it’s targeting a broader swath of the market. It is, though, still projecting a starting price of “about $30,000” when it goes on sale in 2027. It’ll be assembled in Louisville, Kentucky. That pricing does make it a bit pricier than the projected starting price of the Slate, but it will have more doors and more cargo capacity.

Verdict:
If cost is king, Slate has the edge—for now.

Design: Minimalist vs. modern utility

The Slate Truck is unapologetically basic. Two doors, two seats, crank windows, and not even an infotainment screen unless you pay for it. But it’s also modular: the truck can be converted into a five-seat SUV with an optional kit, and Slate encourages third-party customization.

Ford’s Ranchero EV isn’t yet revealed, but Ford has confirmed it’ll be a midsize pickup with sleeker lines and likely more built-in tech. It will ride on Ford’s Universal EV Platform—a flexible, scalable architecture that’s being hailed as a “Model T moment” for affordability and versatility, and built using a new Universal EV Production System method that shakes up the traditional assembly line model.

Verdict:
Slate wins on DIY ethos and modularity, but Ford will likely take the edge in tech and mainstream appeal.

Powertrain and performance

Slate offers two battery sizes:

• 52.7 kWh (~150 miles of range)
• 84.3 kWh (~240 miles of range)

Both pair with a 150 kW (~201 hp) rear-wheel drive motor and support 120 kW DC fast charging via NACS.

Ford has released no specs for the Ranchero EV, but based on its current EV offerings and what’s known about the upcoming platform, expect multiple range options and likely performance that exceeds Slate’s barebones approach. Ford says it’ll be as fast as a current Mustang EcoBoost, and use LFP batteries from BlueOval Battery Park Michigan. Slate is using NMC technology. Both systems use a 400-volt architecture.

Verdict:
Unknown for now, but Ford’s existing tech points to a more refined, capable setup—at a price.

Interior and features

If you’re looking for screens, heated seats, or power anything, the Slate base truck isn’t it. Everything is extra—from paint colors to stereos—and that’s intentional. It’s aimed at DIYers, hobbyists, and fleet buyers who want to keep things cheap and simple.

Ford’s Ranchero will almost certainly come standard with more creature comforts—even in its base form. Expect Ford’s latest SYNC infotainment, over-the-air updates, and compatibility with Ford’s expanding BlueCruise semi-autonomous suite, depending on trim.

Verdict:
Ford takes this one, though Slate’s approach has a niche charm.

Availability and timing

• Slate Auto Truck: Production planned for late 2026 from a converted factory in Indiana. Over 100,000 reservations already placed with a $50 refundable deposit.
• Ford Ranchero EV: Trademark filed in August 2025. Production is expected to begin in either 2026 or 2027 for a 2027 on-sale date.

Verdict:
Slate is slightly ahead, but Ford’s manufacturing scale could change that quickly.

Final thoughts: Which one should you watch?

The Slate Auto Truck is shaping up to be the no-frills hero for budget-conscious buyers, hobbyists, and fleet operators—something akin to an electric kit car for the pickup crowd. The Ford Ranchero EV, meanwhile, may end up being the more mainstream, polished option with greater practicality and brand trust baked in.

If you’re the kind of driver who wants to build your EV your way, or you just want an electric work truck without the fluff, Slate might be your move. But if you want something more refined, familiar, and capable of daily-driver duty without compromise, the Ranchero EV is worth the wait.

Either way, both trucks are proof that the electric pickup isn’t just for the wealthy anymore.