Slate’s Minimalist Electric Truck Gives Drivers More Privacy… Because It Won’t Have A Modem
Slate’s Minimalist Electric Truck Gives Drivers More Privacy… Because It Won’t Have A Modem
Publish Date: 2026-06-04 15:00:00
Source Domain: autos.yahoo.com
Modern cars have become rolling computers packed with sensors, connectivity systems, and endless streams of data collection. For some automakers, driver information has become almost as valuable as the vehicles themselves.
Slate Auto wants nothing to do with that approach. The Indiana-based EV startup says its upcoming electric pickup will not include an embedded cellular modem at all, making constant remote tracking physically impossible.
That means the truck cannot continuously upload your location, driving habits, or behavioral data to the company or outside third parties. At a time when connected vehicles increasingly resemble smartphones on wheels, Slate is intentionally moving in the opposite direction.
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The decision is part of a larger philosophy behind the truck itself. Slate is building an intentionally simple EV with manual windows, no infotainment screen, and only the basic technology needed to function as transportation.
No Modem, No Tracking
Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika.
Slate confirmed to SAE Media that its upcoming electric pickup will rely entirely on a smartphone companion app instead of a built-in modem. The truck itself has no direct cellular connection to the internet.
That means the vehicle cannot “phone home” in the way most modern vehicles do. There is no always-on connection transmitting location data, driving behavior, or usage patterns back to the manufacturer.
A company spokesperson said Slate is not building its business model around harvesting user data. Instead, the startup claims it only wants to collect information directly related to improving the ownership experience.
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“Slate is not building the app around data extraction,” the company said. “We collect data to make ownership better, not to turn the owner into the product.”
That stance immediately separates the startup from much of the modern automotive industry. Many automakers now treat connected services and data collection as major…
