We’re In! Slate’s First Shift Gamifies the Affordable EV Pickup Truck

Slate Automotive’s “First Shift” update turns an affordable EV pickup into a gamified experience, rewarding early reservation holders with dashboard badges and body-side graphics tied to a 2027-model-year edition. The article explains that gamification—adding points, badges, and challenges—has become common in online life, and now Slate is applying that approach to vehicle configuration. The writer says early adopters received a badge for the dashboard and matching graphics after reserving, though rarity details were not confirmed. The tease has been running for more than a year, with occasional email updates and a physical rendering on heavy cardstock. The “First Shift” concept is framed as aimed at customers seeking a single-cab compact truck positioned as legitimately affordable. The core interaction described is configuring the vehicle on Slate’s website. The article’s visuals indicate staged promotional materials, but it does not provide performance figures, specifications, or pricing.