Slate Auto's much-discussed sub-$25K electric truck is one step closer to reality. It's now available for preorder on the company's website. However, it could still be a year or two before drivers who preorder a Slate actually get their vehicles.
The base model of the car is priced at $24,950 and there are a number of color and accessory options available. But Car and Driver points out that it'll end up costing more than $25,000 after factoring in a destination and delivery fee that the company says will be lower than typical. Even so, that fee could still run $1,200 to $1,500.
Even with that fee, however, Slate's truck would stand apart in a US car market where SUVs rule the land and the average car price rose above $50,000 earlier this year before settling back down, according to Kelley Blue Book. Electric vehicles are typically priced about $5,000 to $7,000 more, making the Slate even more of an anomaly.
This week, as it opened up preorders for the electric truck, Slate gave more details about its range and capabilities, which have changed since the truck was announced last year. New battery specs have raised the truck's range from 150 miles per charge to 205. Slate is also banking on the truck's custom options to draw customers: It's offering more than 100 wrap colors and different ways to convert the two-seater truck to other builds, even after the vehicle is purchased.
Preordering the Slate truck costs $300 and is nonrefundable. The company says the 180,000 customers who already placed refundable reservations for $50 can put that $50 toward a preorder.
According to Slate's website, the first deliveries of the truck will be later this year. But full production of the Slate truck isn't expected to ramp up completely until sometime in 2027. Slate has raised $1.3 billion and counts Amazon founder Jeff Bezos as one of its investors.
Reviewers have posted new impressions of the Slate
Not everyone is impressed with the concept, or even the pricing of the Slate, with The Wall Street Journal dismissing the company's updates with the headline, "Will Anyone Buy This Cheap EV Truck With Hand-Crank Windows and No Radio?"
But those who've actually seen and ridden in the vehicle are singing its praises. Nick Yekikian at Edmunds wrote that the truck "is cute and has real charm in person" and said it has evolved since the last time he saw it. He wrote, "The build quality is generally more solid, and it looks ready to hit the road." He also posted a video about his experiences with Slate.
Aaron Gold at MotorTrend wrote, after riding in the Slate, that it's "pretty much what we were expecting, which is a good thing, as we at MotorTrend have high hopes for this cute, inexpensive electric truck."
David Tracy at The Autopian called driving the truck "insanely fun." He wrote, "It's a simple pickup truck, and it's reasonably cheap. Is it the cheapest? No. Is it the most practical for families? No. But what the Slate has going for it is this: It is, by far, the most soulful new vehicle an American consumer will be able to buy for $25,000."
At least one other inexpensive EV is in the pipeline
As far as competition for inexpensive electric vehicles, the closest to Slate's planned price is likely the Chevrolet Bolt at just under $30,000. But other automakers are working on less expensive electric vehicle models.
Ford is expected to release a low-cost electric truck in the $30,000 range, due out in 2027. And political changes could open up the possibility of Chinese-built EVs, which have their fans in the US but are not widely available due to tariffs and other factors. As Reuters points out, some Chinese EVs are priced below $12,000; for the average cost of an American car, you could buy three or more of the cheapest EVs in China.
