American Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd. will supply its Klever S/T EV tire as original equipment for Slate Auto's new electric pickup truck.

Kenda's Klever S/T has been "developed specifically to meet the unique performance, efficiency and durability requirements of Slate’s highly anticipated electric vehicle," say Kenda officials.

The tiremaker has been working directly with Slate Auto's engineering team to design and manufacture a tire "tailored to the Slate truck’s weight, torque characteristics, efficiency targets, ride and handling requirements and anticipated driving conditions."

Kenda will also be the supplier for Slate’s accessory tire offerings, "helping customers personalize their vehicles while maintaining the performance, safety and quality standards established for the platform."

“As the automotive industry continues to evolve, Kenda remains committed to delivering innovative tire technologies that meet the needs of both manufacturers and its consumers,” says Jimmy Yang, global president, CEO and chairman of Kenda Industrial.

“Our collaboration with Slate Auto represents an exciting opportunity to support a company that is reimagining electric mobility through accessibility, personalization and practicality. We are proud to contribute our engineering and production expertise with our EV-focused technology to help bring The Blank Slate to market.”

The Klever S/T EV tire, engineered specifically for the Slate truck application, includes a low rolling resistance design, a reinforced construction to support durability, handling performance and tread life. Development of the tire has been supported by Kenda’s American Technical Center in Akron, Ohio, say Kenda officials.

“This partnership reflects Kenda’s continued growth in the original equipment automotive market and our ability to develop purpose-built solutions for next-generation vehicles,” says Brandon Stotsenburg, vice president of automotive for American Kenda Rubber.

“The Klever S/T EV was designed to address the specific challenges EVs present, from increased vehicle weight and instant torque to efficiency and ride comfort requirements. Working alongside Slate throughout the development process has allowed us to create a tire solution that complements the vehicle’ performance while supporting its affordability and personalization goals.”

The Kenda Klever S/T EV tire will launch as original equipment on The Blank Slate when the vehicle enters production in November 2026, with availability aligned to Slate Auto’s production schedule.