The Vergecast

The Slate Truck is a whole new kind of car

307 snips
Apr 29, 2025
Tim Stevens, a freelance tech and auto writer, discusses the Slate Truck—a minimalist electric vehicle that challenges traditional truck designs with its almost featureless approach. Casey Johnston, a tech and health writer, shares her personal journey of managing screen time, offering practical tips to reduce smartphone distraction. They both explore the balance between technology and life, revealing insights into embracing simplicity and intentionality in our device usage. Plus, they tackle a surprising listener question about Windows laptops!
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Slate Truck's Minimalist Design

  • The Slate Truck strips down features to essentials, eliminating paint, stereo, and touchscreens for simplicity.
  • Its minimalism targets cost-saving and practical use, reshaping conventional expectations of vehicles.
INSIGHT

Manufacturing Cuts Costs Effectively

  • Injection molded plastic and no paint reduce production costs drastically for Slate.
  • These manufacturing choices simplify startup logistics and help reach the sub-$20,000 price target.
INSIGHT

Customizable Upgrades Promote Flexibility

  • Slate offers a barebones truck with optional upgrades rather than forcing expensive packages.
  • Buyers can add features like stereo systems later, fostering personalization and affordability.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app