Slate Auto has officially opened orders in the US for its new electric truck – its $24,950 entry price makes it the cheapest one on the American market.
There are apparently 180,000 people who put down $50 placeholder deposits to secure their places in the queue for the new EV, they’ll have the next 30 days to decide whether they want to go ahead with their order and put down a $300 non-refundable deposit.
On the plus side, the company is backed by Jeff Bezos, so they might get to enjoy next day delivery once their vehicles are ready.
That $25k price (£19k) gets you a blank Slate (that’s its actual name, this company isn’t going to let a good opportunity for a joke pass it by) without any of the innumerable modifications and upgrades you can specify on the truck.
It’s also what you’ll pay before any local taxes, registration or delivery fees, so don’t get overexcited when you’re planning which version of Slate’s new truck to buy. You’ll also have to pay extra for any sound system, infotainment or floor mats, it really is a bare bones basic configuration.
The Michigan-based company was started in 2022, but flew largely under the radar until 2025 when it showed off its new modular electric vehicle. It’s a truck underneath, but you can choose from a variety of body styles including a traditional five-seater estate-style SUV.
Slate’s new truck comes with a 63kWh usable battery for a 205-mile range on the US EPA cycle. It’ll charge at up to 120kW on a NACS charger for a half-hour 20–80% recharge time.
You should really have a go on the configurator, though, it’s very fun. I was able to knock together my dream Malibu beach buggy in minutes, with an expensive combination of wraps and accent on the outside and some tasteful tweaks on the inside. This configuration would set me back upwards of $40,000, mind, and that’s still before tax, registration and delivery costs.
