On the Dash:
- Slate’s electric pickup starts at $24,950, ranking among the cheapest new vehicles sold in America today.
- Buyers add features over time through a marketplace, where most accessories cost under $500.
- 180,000 reservations are in, and the company plans to deliver its first trucks in the fourth quarter.
Slate Auto announced on Wednesday that its all-electric subcompact pickup will start at $24,950, making it one of the cheapest new vehicles in America. The EV startup, backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is wagering that a low price can help it break through in a crowded truck market.
The stripped-down two-seater offers an estimated 205 miles of range and up to 2,000 pounds of towing capacity. Slate sells direct to consumers and lets buyers order the vehicle as a pickup or an SUV. Both SUV configurations, the Squareback and the Fastback, start at $29,950. The truck carries a 10-year, 110,000-mile battery and powertrain warranty.
“More than 180,000 reservation holders have told us they’re ready for a vehicle that’s affordable, reliable, and built around their lives,” said Peter Faricy, CEO of Slate Auto, in the company’s press release.
When Slate first unveiled the truck last year, it pitched a $20,000 price after the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. Congress has since eliminated that credit, so the $24,950 figure now stands on its own. The early pitch still drew heavy interest, with the truck topping 100,000 reservations within two weeks.
The base model skips standard comforts like power windows and an infotainment system. You won’t find a touchscreen in this truck; instead, it’s a return to simple, tactile buttons. It’s designed to be upgraded with accessories over time through the Slate Marketplace. The marketplace will offer more than 200 options, over 80% of which are under $500.
The pricing lands in a market where cheap options have nearly vanished. The average new vehicle transaction price was $48,402 in 2025, according to Edmunds.com. That marks a 30% jump from 2019. Just 4.7% of new vehicles sold for $25,000 or less last year. The closest new-car competitor is Ford’s upcoming lightweight EV pickup, which starts near $30,000 and is expected to reach customers in 2027.
The startup has accumulated 180,000 reservations at $50 each. It is now converting those into firm preorders, which require a $300 down payment. Deliveries are expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
