$25k Slate EV Truck Already Got Over 100,000 Reservations

In a market crowded with sleek, high-tech electric vehicles, Slate Auto’s new EV pickup is turning heads for the exact opposite reason: its simplicity.

The Michigan-based startup, backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has racked up more than 100,000 reservations for its stripped-down, highly customizable electric truck—just three weeks after unveiling the vehicle. That’s a significant achievement for a company that, until recently, was virtually unknown.

Slate’s accomplishment is notable not just for the numbers—it signals a growing appetite for practical, affordable EVs that skip the bells and whistles in favor of utility.

Starting at $25,000, Slate’s minimalist pickup forgoes modern staples like power windows, a radio, or even an entertainment system. And if federal EV tax credits apply, the price could dip below $20,000—a price point unheard of in today’s EV market. First deliveries are expected in late 2026.

On Slate’s website, customers can personalize their trucks through a clean, no-nonsense interface. While exact prices for optional add-ons haven’t been disclosed, the message is clear: you can build the truck you need, and skip what you don’t.

Slate’s pickup goes back to basics—evoking the humble work trucks of the past. Slate’s CEO, Chris Barman, believes that’s exactly what the market has been missing.

“My first car was a 1984 Ford Ranger pickup, with a five-speed manual, manual windows, and no air conditioning,” she said. “It was basic transportation, but I loved the freedom it gave me to go places and do things,” said Barman.

It’s a sentiment that’s resonating—especially as major players like Rivian and Volkswagen chase the same value-conscious customer with models like the ID. Every1, a $22,500 hatchback expected to launch in Europe by 2027.

While Slate’s early numbers are promising, it’s worth noting that reservations don’t equal revenue. Slate still has to prove it can manufacture at scale, manage supply chains, and maintain its pricing targets—all of which are major hurdles for any EV startup. But the interest is there, and for good reason: the Slate pickup offers a rare blend of affordability, utility, and nostalgia that many buyers seem to crave.

If Slate can deliver on its promises, it might just become the no-frills EV truck that disrupts a segment increasingly dominated by luxury and tech.

Slate is Helping Close the Price Gap Between EV and ICE

While EVs still cost more than gas-powered vehicles in many parts of the world, including the U.S., the price gap is closing rapidly. In December 2024, the average EV sold for $55,000 in the U.S.—still about 12% more than the average internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, but a significant improvement from where things stood just a few years ago.

According to new data from Jato Dynamics, global EV prices have dropped by 25% since 2018, thanks to falling battery costs, supply chain improvements, and a wave of lower-cost models entering the market. The firm’s latest report, “EV Price Gap: A Divide in the Global Automotive Industry,” paints a promising picture of accelerating parity between EVs and traditional cars.

Back in 2021, U.S. EVs cost roughly 50% more than ICE vehicles on average. By 2022, that gap had shrunk to 33%. And in 2023? Just 15%.

That’s a dramatic shift in just a few years—and it signals a new phase in the EV transition: one where affordability becomes the driving force.

EVinfo.net’s Take

Slate is exactly what the EV and automotive industries needed, a focus on stripped down utility and low prices. Slate’s ability to change the truck into an SUV is ground-breaking for sure.

Cars have become too laden with tech and features that many drivers don’t want or need, adding to the already too-expensive prices. Starting with a stripped-down, low priced model and giving the ability to add features is revolutionary, and will have a tremendous impact on the market.

Slate backer Jeff Bezos has his share of critics for good reasons, such as sending his girlfriend and a pop star up into space. But his support of a low-cost EV truck is important and highly commendable. At EVinfo.net, we thank Bezos for supporting Slate, but we’d still like to see him follow the stellar example of Microsoft Founder Bill Gates doing great things with his wealth.

In one of the most ambitious philanthropic plans ever announced, Bill Gates has committed to donating 99% of his wealth to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation over the next two decades. As part of the plan, the foundation will cease operations by 2045, marking the end of an era—and the beginning of a concentrated, high-impact effort to tackle global inequality and disease. The foundation’s total giving is expected to double to an estimated $200 billion, supercharging its ability to deliver lasting change.