It’s hard to believe, but it’s been over 100 years since electric vehicles first made their appearance on the streets. Sure, they disappeared almost as quickly as they arrived, but here we are today, witnessing their dramatic comeback. Over the past decade, EVs have evolved in leaps and bounds, bringing us to a question we can’t help but ask: which of these modern electric rides will one day be considered collectible in, say, 20 years from now?

To be clear, there are a few rare and historic EVs that already have their place in the collectible world. Jay Leno, for instance, famously owns a 1909 Baker Electric, which he’s even gone so far as to upgrade. But aside from these niche classics, the broader EV market isn’t exactly seen as a treasure trove for collectors, at least not yet. But who knows? Maybe the next wave of electric vehicles will change that.

More: Can Tesla’s Model 3 Performance Smoke The BMW M3 CS?

The original Tesla Roadster 2.5 that kicked off things for Elon Musk’s brand could be a prime example. While it’s easy to point out its shortcomings, from range anxiety to questionable build quality, the Roadster was undeniably ahead of its time. It played a pivotal role in kick-starting the EV revolution, and without it, the Model S, and arguably the entire Tesla brand, may not have existed. It may not have been perfect, but it was a game-changer.

And while we’re talking about Tesla, let’s not overlook the other contenders that could one day find themselves in the collectible spotlight. The Model S, for one, completely shattered preconceived notions about what an electric car could be.

Then there’s the Model Y, Tesla’s best-seller, which has arguably played the most significant role in broadening EV adoption worldwide. And let’s not forget the Cybertruck. Love it or hate it, its design makes it impossible to ignore, cutting through a sea of otherwise similar-looking vehicles.

Of course, it’s not all about Tesla. The Nissan Leaf deserves a mention as one of the most influential EVs in shaping the electric car market, especially for those seeking an affordable option. The Rivian R1T was the first all-electric pickup truck. The original Porsche Taycan might be the first sign to everyone that even huge historic brands were willing to ditch internal combustion to one degree or another.

If I personally had to pick one, it would be the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. It seems poised to go down in history as the first EV to truly mix in a boatload of driver engagement along with supercar-like performance. Looking back through history, those two factors rarely come together in a EV that the general public can actually afford. That’s what makes the 5 N so special.

And while some traditional gearheads might scoff at the very idea of electric cars ever being collectible, let’s not forget that there’s a new generation on the horizon. This group won’t have the same hang-ups. They’ll have grown up with electric vehicles as the norm and they won’t carry the same biases against them.

Do you agree with anything we’ve mentioned here? Perhaps you have another car to submit. Let us know in the comments below!

With so many modern cars feeling like clones of each other, featuring similar designs and often identical powertrains, it’s only normal that we’d get excited when something really different comes along. But in the case of Slate’s new EV, is that lust for the new is at risk of creating a real Emperor’s New Clothes situation?

If you haven’t seen our report on the Slate’s debut you should check out our original story at the link below this paragraph. But here’s the tldr: Slate is Michigan-based startup backed by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos that wants to sell affordable electric utility vehicles.

They’ll cost from $27,500 ($20k after federal tax credits) and a modular design means you’ll be able to turn the two-seat truck into a two-row SUV or an SUV with a coupe back or open roof with an add-on pack.

Related: Slate Shakes Up EVs With $28,000 Pickup That Turns Into An SUV

Both of those are real selling points. Most of the few electric utilities around, like Rivian’s R1S and R1T and those coming soon from Scout, cost over $50k putting them out of the reach of many American buyers. It’s great to see an automaker building a simple, no-frills truck that doesn’t cost the earth and doesn’t take up two parking bays, and the ability to switch between pick-up and SUV configurations really adds to the practicality.

Small price, smaller equipment list

But a ton of compromises have been made to hit the sub-$30k price. Most obviously, the list of standard equipment makes a Dacia look like a Maybach. There’s no touchscreen – which is not necessarily a bad thing, because we’ve all got smartphones and it means you get physical rotary controls for the AC.

But there’s not even any kind of stereo/speakers fitted as standard to play music from your phone. They’re optional, along with the wrap you’ll need to apply to change the body color since there are no paint options because there’s no paint.

More: You Can Buy This Pickup For $4K Less Than Slate’s EV And You Don’t Even Have To Crank Your Windows

And the crank windows? The internet went wild over this, but it’s a classic case of “brown, manual, diesel wagon” syndrome, and the fun factor will quickly wear off the first time you need to yell to your kids that they forgot their lunch box at school drop-off, or ask someone for directions through the passenger window because you’ve got no phone signal for Google Maps and there’s no onboard nav.

The 1,000 lbs (545 kg) towing capacity is also terrible for a utility vehicle, the 5 ft (1.52 m) bed length’s 0.5 ft (150 mm) advantage over a Ford Maverick comes at the expense of rear seats, and the lack of an all-wheel drive variant hurts its appeal to those who live in rural areas or get harsh winters. And the smaller of the two available batteries only has a 52.7 kWh capacity and gives a range of just 150 miles (240 km).

Short battery range

That range might be fine for a truck that never strays far from its home city, but we know from Mazda’s MX-30 sales failure that people don’t like EVs that can’t go far on a charge. And though you can pay for a bigger 84.3 kWh pack that’ll give you 240 miles (386 km), that’s probably going to push you well north of $30k (before credits), and by the time you’ve added the SUV top, a wrap, Bluetooth speakers and other personalization options your bargain truck isn’t going to be quite as much of a bargain.

I really want to get behind the Slate. I hate that cars have become so heavy and overcomplicated and this feels like the wheeled equivalent of my Suri toothbrush, which doesn’t have any fancy functions you never need like stupid Bluetooth apps, but is well built and lasts for weeks on a charge. Slate’s focus on simplicity, only giving us the stuff we need and none of what we don’t is refreshing, and one other automakers constantly adding pointless gadgets to get our attention could learn from.

Will internet praise equal sales?

But as Toyota discovered with the GR86, there’s a big difference between getting a bunch of people excited about the idea of a simple, pure-of-spirit vehicle, and getting them to actually buy it. Once the Slate launch dust has settled and the novelty of the crank windows and very bare, very plasticky interior and configurable roof (where are you gonna store it?) has faded and the trucks are available to buy, will Americans open their wallets?

Or will they decide that it’s simply too compromised, too basic and there are better options for similar money.

And maybe for less money if the EV tax credits advantage disappears (it’s already not available to all buyers). Those other options, like the $24k Ford Maverick with an aftermarket Leer truck cap for that SUV feel, aren’t stylish like Slate’s Truck, and they’re not electric, but they’re great products. And is anyone in America really crying out for an electric pickup right now, anyway?

Slate thinks it’ll sell 150,000 every year, and we hope it does, but how do you rate its chances? Is it a credible truck and really the game-changing bargain some people are making it out to be, or is it just massively over-hyped, still too expensive and about five years too early? Leave a comment and let us know.