Slate Auto Launches Affordable Electric Pickup Starting at $24,950
Slate Auto, an electric vehicle startup backed by Jeff Bezos, has introduced a subcompact electric pickup truck priced at $24,950. The company held an event in Los Angeles on Wednesday, where journalists were given the opportunity to test drive a pre-production prototype that closely resembles the final version of the vehicle.
The two-seater truck is designed with a minimalist approach to keep costs low, omitting features like a built-in infotainment system. Slate's President of Vehicles, Chris Barman, stated that the target buyer is an "everyday American" seeking value over luxury, noting that many users already rely on smartphones for their navigation and communication needs.
Technical specifications for the vehicle include a driving range of 205 miles and a towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds, though some reports cite the towing capacity as 1,000 pounds. The truck supports charging via standard household outlets, Level 2 chargers, and DC fast chargers, the latter of which can add significant range in approximately 30 minutes.
This pricing strategy positions the Slate truck as the least expensive electric vehicle and pickup currently available in the U.S. market. It undercuts competitors such as the Ford Maverick, which starts around $30,000, and the Chevrolet Bolt EV, which begins at roughly $29,000. The launch comes as the average price for new vehicles has risen to nearly $50,000.
Slate Auto has already received approximately 180,000 reservations. Preorders opened on Wednesday with a $300 non-refundable deposit to secure a delivery date. Production is scheduled to begin in autumn 2026 at the company's factory in Warsaw, Indiana, with customer deliveries expected to start in the fourth quarter of that year.
