Kenda Builds Factory EV Tires for Slate Pickup
Owners of Slate Auto's electric truck will get a tire designed specifically for its weight, torque, and efficiency needs from November 2026.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
Kenda will supply its Klever S/T EV tire as original equipment for Slate Auto's new electric pickup truck, The Blank Slate, when the vehicle enters production in November 2026. Kenda will also supply Slate's accessory tire offerings for customers who want to personalize their vehicles.
Why it matters
For households considering an electric pickup, the tire is one of the few parts that directly shapes everyday running costs, since rolling resistance affects how far a battery goes on a charge and reinforced construction affects how long tires last. Because the tire was built for this specific truck rather than adapted from an existing model, owners will want to know it is the factory-fitted option when replacement time comes.
The Klever S/T EV tire is designed specifically for Slate Auto's electric truck and will be fitted as original equipment when production begins in November 2026. Kenda will also supply the accessory tire lineup that Slate offers to customers.
The players
Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd.
Taiwan-based tire maker whose American arm supplies a broad range of passenger, light truck, and specialty tires to vehicle makers and aftermarket buyers.
Slate Auto
Developer of The Blank Slate, an electric pickup truck scheduled to enter production in November 2026.
The details
Kenda worked directly with Slate Auto's engineering team to design the Klever S/T to match the truck's weight, torque, efficiency, and handling requirements. The tire combines a low rolling resistance design, which helps an electric vehicle stretch its battery range, with reinforced construction intended to support durability. Development was supported by Kenda's American Technical Center in Akron, Ohio.
Timeline
November 2026: Slate truck production begins with the Klever S/T EV tire as original equipment.
The Home Front
Tire choice is a recurring household expense that rises in importance as electric pickups move into driveways, because tires must handle heavier curb weights and instant torque. Factory-engineered EV tires are a distinct product category from standard all-season tires, so cost and replacement availability will matter to owners over the life of the truck.
If you are considering an electric pickup, plan for tires as a line in your ownership budget, since a factory-engineered EV tire may differ in cost from standard replacements. Ask the dealer or manufacturer for replacement sizing and warranty details before purchase, and keep your vehicle documentation in a single folder for future tire shopping.
The takeaway
Tires built for a specific electric vehicle are part of the total cost of ownership, not just a fitment detail. Before you buy, ask where replacements come from and confirm the warranty terms in writing.
What happens next
Slate Auto's electric truck is scheduled to begin production in November 2026, the date when the Klever S/T EV tire launches as original equipment.
Further reading
Keep up with the latest in Electric Vehicles for more on how these trucks are changing the everyday ownership picture.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Modern Tire Dealer.
