Key facts
- Slate Auto's truck has no embedded infotainment system; a small dashboard display shows speed, range and the backup camera.
- The truck carries a sub-$25,000 starting price, according to Slate Auto's pitch as described by Ars Technica.
- The Rand McNally 2027 Road Atlas has 154 pages covering the United States, Canada and Mexico in full color.
- Slate Auto said it believes owners should use the devices they know and love, per Ars Technica.
- Ars Technica said it reviewed a unit Slate Auto sent and has not tested it in a Slate truck.
Slate Auto has added a spiral-bound road atlas to its online store for a limited time, presenting it as a navigation option for a truck that has no embedded infotainment system, Ars Technica reported on November 13, 2026.
The startup's pitch is an affordable electric truck with just the basics, leaving owners to supply their own devices, at a sub-$25,000 starting price. The small dashboard display shows speed and range and carries the backup camera when reverse is engaged; two USB-C ports provide power but not connectivity.
Ars Technica said Slate Auto sent it a review unit of the atlas, which it called a good old spiral-bound road atlas, along with a sticker pack. The outlet said it has not tested the item with a Slate truck. The Rand McNally 2027 Road Atlas has 154 pages covering the United States, Canada and Mexico in full color, and Ars Technica noted any updates must be applied by Post-it note.
Ars Technica quoted Slate Auto saying, "We believe you should use the devices you know and love." The outlet said the automaker reckons maps worked for past generations and should still work now.