Slate: Sneak peek and test drive of the Bezos-backed EV

Slate, the utilitarian EV truck maker backed by Jeff Bezos, is nearing a big moment.

The company, formed back in 2022, is on the cusp of releasing its $25,000 truck to customers by the end of this year. After years of incubation, it was a milestone for the startup, going from "stealth mode" to reveal in April of last year.

In addition, Slate aims to be cash-flow positive shortly after production, mainly because all its parts are made in America (except items like tires) and because vehicle parts are not stamped on expensive presses. The exterior parts are easier-to-make composite pieces that avoid President Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum.

The sales pitch has brought in a number of investors, with Slate raising around $1.4 billion to date . Previous investors have included General Catalyst, Jeff Bezos and his family office, VC firm Slauson & Co ., TWG, and former Amazon ( AMZN ) executive Diego Piacentini.

With sales starting soon, Slate offered up limited drives to members of the press, so Yahoo Finance took a short drive across town.

The prototype vehicle Slate brought to our Manhattan office looked pretty much like the production version, save the camouflage wrap. The panels are a composite material that can be easily removed and replaced if damaged, and they all come in one color, a slate gray. The lights, front and rear fascia, and truck bed looked basically production-ready. The Slate has the footprint of a Ford Bronco, with a decent-size bed and even usable trunk space if buyers opt for the SUV conversion.

Inside the vehicle, the panels, dashboard, and even seat covers were still prototype spec, so it was not indicative of what the car will look and feel like for end buyers. That being said, the sightlines out of the wide front and rear windscreens were good, the charm of the hand-crank windows remained, and the simple manual side mirrors that required the user to just push the mirror with their fingers to position it were refreshingly easy (maybe more automakers should take note).

Behind the wheel, the car drove smoother than expected, which shouldn't come as a surprise given its electric drivetrain. The vehicle was well-damped and comfortable over the cracked roads and potholes of NYC.

While a higher truck suspension and deeper-sidewall tires helped on rougher roads, the overall package meant the Slate drove like a car worth double the money, with smooth acceleration and decent vehicle dynamics, given its low center of gravity. Impressive for a vehicle starting at $24,950.