A Slate Truck demonstration in Freehold, New Jersey offered prospective buyers a brief but revealing glimpse of the upcoming electric pickup, leaving visitors with mixed impressions about the short ride and its practical potential.
Two Shoppers, Different Takeaways
One visitor, posting online as buck1017, described his October 28 or 29 experience as “Weak. Well under 3 minutes around a parking lot.” Yet he praised the ride quality, acceleration, and surprisingly roomy cab. His main disappointment was the brevity of the demonstration, estimating the moving portion lasted about two and a half minutes. He did acknowledge that he could likely have requested another turn.
Another attendee, RestiveSlater, arrived early on October 28 and waited less than five minutes before taking a slightly longer route. He estimated the drive covered more than two miles along a private perimeter road, reaching speeds of roughly 30 mph on a 25 mph limit. Unlike buck1017, he found the visit worthwhile and planned to purchase, though he still sought clarity on the buying process in New Jersey.
Measuring More Than Just a Drive
RestiveSlater used his time at the Freehold event to investigate storage space behind the seats. With the driver’s seat adjusted for a representative who said she was 5 feet 5 inches tall, he reported over 12 inches of clearance at floor level between the seatback and the rear cab wall. Moving the passenger seat fully forward, he measured 18 inches from its lower edge to the curved base of the wall, suggesting a raised platform could add more room.
He also evaluated the front trunk, noting that Slate lists seven cubic feet of volume but that the angled surfaces produced varying dimensions. An 18-inch height at the center gave way to an estimated additional two inches beneath the hood, though he cautioned that this was an inference without precise measuring tools. His findings echoed a Lightning-versus-Silverado comparison where a buyer tested golf club fit rather than relying solely on volume figures.
The bed measurements offered another practical takeaway. RestiveSlater recorded 59 inches across the bed at the height of the molded supports, with openings slightly wider than 5½ inches that he believed would accommodate nominal 2-by-6 lumber. However, he noted that this width applied only at the support level, not necessarily across the entire bed floor.
While buck1017 expressed frustration with the short ride, he appreciated the solid feel of the compartment doors and reconsidered an optional center console. RestiveSlater, meanwhile, preferred the newer textured covers in the display vehicle over the glossy pieces in his demo truck, though later replies questioned whether the material was fabric or plastic with a fabric-like texture.
Interior Details and Final Considerations
RestiveSlater noted that the broad pillars behind the doors blocked his view of items inside the cab when looking through the windows. This obstruction could help keep a bag out of casual sight, though it may also affect rearward visibility for the driver. He suggested checking how those pillars impact the view over each shoulder when reversing or changing lanes.
Buck1017 focused on the compartment doors, praising their solid feel in the demonstration truck. His preference leaned toward the sturdier-feeling covers in his demo vehicle rather than the glossy or fabric-like alternatives he associated with production models.
Pricing and Practical Planning
Slate lists the Blank Slate at $24,950 with a $1,450 destination charge, totaling $26,400 before taxes and options. The $300 preorder payment applies to the purchase price but does not reflect the final delivered cost. Buyers adding conversions like an SUV or enclosed cargo setup will see both the price and functionality change.
For anyone considering a trip to the event, the Freehold demonstration ran from October 28–31 at 3710 US-9, outside Marmara Mediterranean Cuisine. The distinction between a passenger ride and driving the preproduction pickup matters, since Slate representatives handled all steering during the demos. One forum member, alm99, later commented that a four-hour drive from near Syracuse no longer sounded worthwhile and said he was considering canceling his appointment. The exchange did not confirm a cancellation, but it reflected how the short window of each ride could influence travel decisions.
Slate’s published specification gives the bed a five-foot length and 35.1 cubic feet of volume, while the company lists an overall vehicle length of 174.6 inches. Those dimensions help frame expectations for storage and maneuverability. Slate also calls its 205-mile range a projection, meaning real-world driving could vary. The Freehold event gave shoppers a chance to sit inside, touch the materials, and measure key spaces, but it did not test highway performance, towing, or charging infrastructure. Prospective buyers should ask about ride duration and route details before traveling, then bring familiar objects or templates to verify fit for tools, bags, or gear.
Noah Washington is a young automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia, covering sports cars, luxury vehicles, electric vehicles, and the ownership realities behind them. His reporting for Torque News connects engineering and design with what drivers experience, from towing and charging to reliability and the character that makes a car worth caring about. His work includes interviews with Jaguar F-TYPE designer Matt Beaven and former Lucid Gravity chief engineer Zach Walker, plus firsthand reviews of the Nissan Z Nismo and Mitsubishi Mirage G4.
A BMW E36 M3 owner and former Miata owner, Noah has written for TopSpeed, HotCars, and Cointelegraph. He is a member of the Southeast Region Automotive Media Association (SERAMA) and the International Motor Press Association (IMPA). His favorite car remains the Fiat 500 Abarth. Follow Noah on X and LinkedIn for his latest reporting and to share story tips.
