Slate Auto, a startup backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and other major investors, has unveiled a new low-cost electric vehicle aimed at disrupting the truck and SUV market. Designed in California and Michigan and assembled in the Midwest, the Slate Truck starts at $20,000 after federal EV incentives and promises a versatile, accessible option for American buyers.
The company’s debut model is a compact two-door electric pickup that can convert into a five-seat SUV. Measuring less than 15 feet in length, the truck is about two-thirds the size of a Chevrolet Silverado EV and roughly seven-eighths the size of a Ford Maverick. Despite its smaller stature, it offers a 1,400-pound payload capacity, close to that of larger competitors.
Slate Auto is marketing the vehicle as a radically simple, American-made alternative to more high-end electric trucks, stripping the model down to essential features like manual windows and eliminating costly extras such as infotainment systems. The base model will deliver a maximum range of 150 miles per charge, with an optional extended battery increasing the range up to 240 miles.
While Slate Auto’s production facility has not been officially confirmed, reports indicate the assembly plant is located in Indiana. The company is currently accepting reservations for a refundable $50 deposit, with customer deliveries expected to begin in late 2026.
Earlier this month, TechCrunch reported that Slate Auto secured $111 million in funding, with Bezos, Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter, and investor Thomas Tull among its financial backers.
Positioned as a practical, no-frills “anti-Tesla” offering, the Slate Truck aims to attract buyers looking for affordable, customizable electric vehicles without the luxury price tag. As EV adoption slowly grows, the Slate Truck could carve out a niche among consumers seeking smaller alternatives to traditional electric pickups.
