Slate Truck Safety Features: Comprehensive Guide
The Slate Truck by Slate Auto is redefining utility EVs with its modular design, cost-effective engineering, and commitment to safety. While marketed as a minimalist workhorse, its safety architecture is more comprehensive than its price point suggests.
This article breaks down the key safety elements of the Slate Truck, covering standard and optional features, potential aftermarket enhancements, and how it stacks up in the growing EV pickup category.
What Safety Features Come Standard on the Slate Truck?
Despite its compact size and budget-conscious approach, the Slate Truck is designed to meet or exceed a 5-star USNCAP crash rating. Here’s a breakdown of confirmed standard equipment based on Slate’s released specs:
- Traction Control & Electronic Stability Control: Critical for maintaining grip and preventing rollover on slick or uneven surfaces.
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): Detects obstacles and applies braking to prevent or mitigate collisions.
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW): Alerts the driver of an impending frontal impact.
- Pedestrian Identification: Uses onboard sensors to recognize pedestrians and intervene if necessary.
- 2-stage Front Airbags: Protects both driver and passenger in a frontal collision.
- Seat Side Airbags (2): Offers side-impact protection, uncommon at this vehicle class.
- Backup Camera: Assists with reversing and enhances visibility in tight urban environments.
- Auto High-Beam Assist: Automatically toggles between low and high beams based on lighting and traffic conditions.
- Remote Keyless Entry: While not a direct safety system, this enhances secure access in fleet or shared-use scenarios.
Each of these features is considered essential for modern EV safety and was previously only common in higher-tier vehicles.
How Does the SUV Conversion Kit Enhance Safety?
The Slate Truck can be configured into an SUV-like form using a modular kit that adds a second row of seats and a roof enclosure. This transformation includes key safety reinforcements:
- Full-Length Side Curtain Airbags: Not present in the base truck, these airbags deploy during side impacts and rollovers to protect second-row passengers.
- Reinforced Roofline: Enhances rollover integrity and provides stability in SUV form.
- Integrated Rear Seat Belts & Anchor Points: Ensures secure occupant retention in the rear row.
Slate confirms that the SUV kit upgrades the airbag count to 4, with 2 curtain airbags added for the extended cabin.
Aftermarket Enhancements and Safety Upgrades
Thanks to its modular, open-source ethos, the Slate Truck offers multiple pathways for aftermarket manufactures to add safety improvements:
- Blind Spot Monitoring Systems
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alerts
- Parking Sensors
- Interior Dash Cams and Exterior Collision Cameras
Many of these enhancements align with commercial and government fleet safety requirements and could be deployed at scale.
Is the Open-Air Model Less Safe?
The Slate Truck’s modular design allows for open-air driving and optional second-row seating, raising some natural questions about safety in these configurations. Fortunately, safety has been built into the platform from the ground up.
Even with the top removed, the vehicle retains side-impact airbags when the second-row seat is installed. These airbags are integrated into the seat structure or door frame areas, maintaining side protection regardless of the roof configuration. This means that rear passengers still benefit from critical crash mitigation features in open-air mode.
Additionally, the Slate Truck’s reinforced unibody frame provides structural rigidity, while a bolt-in roll bar is expected to be offered for added rollover protection in topless configurations. These components ensure that the truck remains safe and roadworthy — even when configured for recreational use.
While caution and responsible driving are still recommended in open-air setups, the presence of airbags and structural protections helps bridge the gap between freedom and safety.
How Does the Slate Truck Compare to Other EV Trucks?
| Feature | Slate Truck | Ford Maverick Hybrid | Rivian R1T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crash Rating Target | 5-Star (projected) | 4-Star | 5-Star |
| Standard AEB & FCW | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Side Curtain Airbags | Optional (SUV Kit) | Yes | Yes |
| Removable Top | Yes | No | No |
| Blind Spot Monitoring | Aftermarket | Standard | Standard |
| Price Range (Base) | Under $20K (est.) | $23K+ | $73K+ |
The Slate Truck trades built-in luxury for modular safety. While it lacks advanced ADAS tech from the factory, it gives users the option to build their own safety stack at a fraction of the cost.
Safety Meets Modularity
The Slate Truck doesn’t just promise affordability—it brings responsible safety engineering into a flexible, future-proof platform. With proven systems like automatic emergency braking, stability control, and side airbags, the base truck checks key boxes. For those who want more, the SUV kit and aftermarket add-ons offer the freedom to customize safety for any mission.
As more supplier partnerships are announced, and as the first trucks hit the road, expect to see rapid innovation in how owners outfit Slate Trucks for everything from family hauling to field work.
Want to stay ahead of the curve?
Sign up at SlateRides.com to get updates on safety accessory launches, real-world reviews, and Slate-compatible gear as it becomes available.
Additional Resources
- Slate Auto Specs
- Slate Auto Personalization
- Slate Auto Fleet
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – NHTSA
Disclaimer:
All features, specifications, and safety details referenced in this article are based on currently available information from Slate Auto and public sources as of publication. Final production models may differ as engineering and regulatory approvals are finalized. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, visit Slate Auto’s official site.
