Slate Auto Unveils High-Roof Cargo Variant of Its Compact EV Pickup, Now Open for Orders

Slate Auto, the electric vehicle startup backed by Jeff Bezos, is making a bold push into the commercial vehicle segment. At its ongoing ride-and-drive event in Portland, the company’s Fleet Business Development team offered the most detailed look yet at the anticipated high-roof cargo kit for its compact pickup. This new option is designed to transform the truck into a versatile workhorse, catering directly to businesses and fleet operators.

The high-roof configuration adds a substantial enclosed cargo area, significantly boosting the pickup’s utility. While the company had previously hinted at such a variant, this announcement confirms that customers can now actually place an order for it. Slate Auto positions this as a solution for tradespeople, delivery services, and other commercial users who need the maneuverability of a compact truck with the storage capacity of a van.

This move underscores Slate Auto’s ambition to compete beyond the consumer EV market. By offering a purpose-built cargo solution, the company aims to carve out a niche in the lucrative fleet sector, where operational efficiency and total cost of ownership are paramount. The Portland event provided a hands-on opportunity for potential fleet buyers to inspect the vehicle’s innovative design and practical features.