You won’t have to wait long to buy Slate Auto’s first electric car. The Jeff Bezos-backed startup tells customers via email that it will begin taking orders for the low-cost modular truck on June 24 ahead of deliveries later in the year.
In message seen by TechCrunchSlate warns that would-be owners need to make a $50 reservation if they want to buy their car “before the unreserved.”
Despite offering an online configurator, Slate has yet to reveal a base price for the truck. It’s estimated to be priced in the “mid-$20,000s” and will require about $5,000 extra to make it an SUV. The company originally hoped to advertise the price below $20,000, but the end of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit derailed that plan.
Why is the slate truck so important?
This is a no problem EV with ideal timing
Slate introduced its signature truck in April 2025 with a different approach from other automakers, especially EV brands. It offers only one essential vehicle and adds modules depending on the functionality you want. The basic version relies on your phone or tablet as the infotainment system, lacks speakers and has manually operated windows. You order a dressing to add color, not paint.
A pickup truck is the standard style, but you can also order kits that turn it into an SUV or Jeep-style open-air vehicle. You can even add doors to the Slate or raise the ride height in addition to the more usual options like bigger wheels and an external spare tire.
If the Slate lives up to its price promise, it could be more affordable than compact truck-like rivals. Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf. This can be significant brutal housing market Outside of Tesla, most brands have seen sales plummet without the tax credit. There are Ford, VW and others they withdrew their plans and refocused on hybrids and gas-only vehicles.
HOME? In this economy?
Slate also has a rough economy on its side. Rising prices, especially gas, have caused many households to cut back on spending. Some brands like Hyundai also reported Home sales are up as fuel prices rise. The truck may appeal to drivers looking to save on an EV in the long run, especially if they’re willing to sacrifice some convenience for a lower initial price.
Source: TechCrunch
