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Slate Auto’s radically simple electric truck starts at $24,950
Slate Auto, the EV startup backed by billionaire Jeff Bezos, has announced a starting price of $24,950 for its electric truck (excluding taxes, fees, and optional equipment). The company began taking preorders on Wednesday and also revealed an improved base model range of approximately 205 miles, up from 150 miles, but abandoned plans for a 240-mile battery pack. The aggressive pricing—half the average cost of a new U.S. car—positions Slate to capture the low end of the market, competing with EVs like the Chevrolet Bolt ($29,000) and Nissan Leaf ($32,000). Ford has teased a $30,000 electric truck due in 2027. The announcement comes over a year after Slate emerged from stealth. The truck is a basic, transforming two-seater pickup that can be modified into a five-seater SUV (starting at $29,950), either by professionals or owners via "Slate University" how-to videos. Features are minimal: hand-crank windows, no infotainment system, no paint options—just a gray composite material with customizable wraps, helping cut factory costs. Slate plans to sell directly to customers without traditional dealerships. Earlier this month, TechCrunch reported Slate granted Carvana a warrant to purchase shares, hinting at a collaboration; Carvana recently expanded into selling new cars. Slate had long targeted a mid-$20,000 price, aiming to create a vehicle akin to Ford's Model T or VW Beetle. However, the second Trump administration and Republican-controlled Congress have loosened emissions standards and removed the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, causing many automakers to delay EV plans. Despite challenges, Slate has raised $1.4 billion across three funding rounds from investors including TWG Global, General Catalyst, Jeff Bezos’ family office, Slauson & Co., and former Amazon executive Diego Piacentini.