Slate recently unveiled its budget-friendly electric truck, which can transform into a five-seat SUV for passenger transport. The reveal generated significant interest, particularly from those looking for a cargo-hauling vehicle.
One of the key metrics for assessing a truck’s utility is its ability to transport a 4×8 sheet of plywood. The Slate EV can indeed accommodate this standard plywood size, with a maximum payload capacity of 1,433 pounds. The bed width of 50 inches allows for the sheet to fit width-wise, but the length of the bed at five feet falls short of the full plywood length. However, with the tailgate down, the bed extends to 6.8 feet, providing enough support for the plywood.
A potential issue arises with the distance between the wheel wells, which is not wide enough for the plywood to sit flat in the bed. While the top of the wheel wells appears flat to stabilize the panels, the narrow width may leave parts of the sheet unsupported, especially for thinner plywood.
Comparing this setup to Ford’s Maverick, which has longer and wider wheel arches and additional support beams, Slate lacks similar features for added plywood support. Nonetheless, the electric truck offers front storage in the frunk for additional cargo when the bed is occupied.
Although production of the Slate truck is slated to begin in late 2026, its cargo capabilities appear promising. Despite some potential limitations with plywood transport, the vehicle’s overall design and specifications suggest it will be a capable option for those in need of a compact yet versatile hauler.
