Ford May Just Beat Slate to the Affordable Tiny Pickup Punch

Dearborn may actually be the first to deliver a cheap, small EV pickup.

Pickup truck covered in black and white circular camouflage wrap on a wide paved area under a clear blue sky.

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Published 4 hours ago

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Ford could very well be on track to beat everyone to bringing an affordable all-electric pickup truck to the American masses. The Dearborn-based automaker was recently caught testing a prototype out in California.

While it’s just a prototype, it’s more proof of Ford’s progress towards delivering on its promises. Especially when demand for a small, cheap pickup is skyrocketing, even if it’s electric.

The affordable, tiny pickup wars are really ramping up

Hands sketching a car design on paper surrounded by printed car concept images. — Dearborn could have its affordable, small pickup EV ready by 2027.

Believe it or not, it’s been quite some time since Jeff Bezos-backed Slate revealed its pitch for an affordable, small electric pickup for the masses. Over a year, in fact.

But despite all the hype it generated, there’s been almost nothing but radio silence from the brand. That has potential buyers raising eyebrows with skepticism about whether Slate can deliver.

Because a considerable amount of time has passed, other automakers have since capitalized on the hype with their own prospects. Ford is one. And, with its dedication to the pickup space, it only made sense for the Dearborn brand to brew up its own competitor.

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According to various reports and our friends at The Autopian (who got lucky enough to spot the prototype in the flesh), it seems Ford may have a winner on its hands. The new small electric pickup will spearhead the automaker’s latest Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform.

Despite Ford pumping the brakes on its electrification initiatives, it still sees a viable future for the propulsion type. Given how much hype surrounded Slate, it only made sense for Ford to try and beat Bezos to the punch.

It could be on the road as soon as next year

Light gray Ford electric pickup truck driving on a city street with blurred buildings in the background. — Judging by the shape of the prototype, the test mule looks like a Maverick, but with an electric powertrain.

While not much is known about Ford’s new electric pickup, speculation points to a reveal and launch date sometime in 2027. That’s just around the corner, as we’re already more than halfway through 2026.

By comparison, Slate hasn’t given any hard timeline as to when its pickup could hit the market. Additionally, it doesn’t have any retail or dealership infrastructure in place.

After all, Slate is a completely new automaker, so it has some serious hurdles to overcome. Ford has been a major player for over a century, with dealerships and authorized retailers galore.

Slate's Blank Slate Truck and SUV configuration shown at angles inside a sunlit warehouse. — Everyone’s now wondering if Slate can even deliver on its promise.

Not to mention, Ford has its entire manufacturing and supply line infrastructure.

As of now, Ford has been pledging a starting price of around $30,000, which is just a tad more expensive than Slate’s pitch. The startup says its goal is to sell its pickup with a starting price in the “mid-$20,000 range.”

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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