Slate Auto begins pre-sales of its $24,950 electric pickup truck with promise of high customization
Slate Auto has opened pre-orders for its highly anticipated electric pickup truck, with an attractive base price of $24,950. Although reservations can now be made, large-scale production of the modular truck, which promises to be highly customizable, is not expected to begin before 2027.
Conversion options for the Slate electric pickup
Slate’s modular electric vehicle starts at US$24,950. The company offers an additional $5,000 option that allows you to transform the pickup into an SUV with seating for five passengers.
The arrival of the Slate electric pickup truck on the market
Slate Auto’s long-awaited electric pickup truck, highlighted by its price below US$25,000, is closer to becoming a reality for consumers. The model can now be pre-ordered directly through the company’s official website. However, buyers who make a reservation should be aware that delivery of the vehicles may take one to two years.
The base model starts at $24,950, with a variety of colors and accessories available to choose from. However, Car and Driver magazine points out that the final price can exceed US$25,000 due to the inclusion of the destination and delivery fee. While Slate Auto claims this rate is lower than the market average, it can still range between $1,200 and $1,500.
Even with the application of these rates, the Slate pickup truck is uniquely positioned in the North American automobile market. In a scenario dominated by SUVs, where the average price of cars exceeded US$50,000 at the beginning of the year, before slightly stabilizing, according to data from Kelley Blue Book, Slate’s offer is notable. Electric vehicles, in general, cost between US$5,000 and US$7,000 more than their combustion equivalents, making Slate Auto’s proposal even more unusual and a significant differentiator for consumers looking for an affordable alternative.
This week, with the pre-order launch, Slate revealed new information about its vehicle’s range and capabilities, which have been improved since the initial announcement last year. The battery upgrades now guarantee a range of 330 km per charge, a considerable increase from the previously reported 240 km. The brand also emphasizes the wide customization possibilities, offering more than 100 wrapping options and several ways to convert the two-seater pickup into other models, even after purchase.
To pre-order the Slate truck, a payment of $300 is required, which is non-refundable. The company said that the 180,000 customers who previously made refundable reservations worth US$50 can use that amount to place a new pre-order.
According to the Slate portal, the first deliveries of the pickup are scheduled to take place later this year. However, large-scale production of the vehicle is not expected to begin in its entirety before 2027. Slate Auto has already managed to raise US$1.3 billion in investment, counting Amazon founder Jeff Bezos among its backers.
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Reactions from specialized critics about the Slate pickup truck
Not all experts were completely convinced by the Slate’s concept or price. The Wall Street Journal expressed skepticism about the company’s latest updates, publishing the headline: “Will Anyone Buy This Cheap Electric Pickup with Manual Windows and No Radio?”
On the other hand, those who had the opportunity to see and test the vehicle have expressed their praise. Nick Yekikian, from Edmunds, described the pickup as “cute and with genuine charm in person”, highlighting its evolution since the last review. He added: “The build quality is generally more solid and it feels ready to hit the road,” sharing his impressions in a video.
MotorTrend’s Aaron Gold also drove the Slate and wrote that it “is pretty much what we expected, which is great, since we at MotorTrend have high expectations for this friendly, inexpensive electric pickup.”
David Tracy of The Autopian called the experience of driving the pickup “incredibly fun.” He noted, “It’s a simple, reasonably inexpensive pickup truck. Is it the cheapest? No. Is it the most practical for families? No. But what the Slate has going for it is this: It’s by far the most characterful new vehicle an American consumer can buy for $25,000.”
Competition in the affordable electric vehicle segment
As for competition in the more affordable electric vehicle segment, the closest model to Slate’s planned price range is probably the Chevrolet Bolt, available for just under $30,000. However, other large automakers are in the process of developing electric vehicles with lower costs.
Ford, for example, is expected to launch a low-cost electric pickup truck in the $30,000 range, scheduled for 2027. Additionally, policy changes could open the door to Chinese-made electric vehicles in the U.S. market, models that already have a loyal following but are currently restricted due to tariffs and other factors. Reuters highlights that some Chinese electric vehicles can cost less than US$12,000, which would mean that, with the average price of an American car, it would be possible to purchase three or more of these models.
