Slate Auto launches preorders for $24,950 electric truck

The electric vehicle startup Slate Auto has officially opened preorders for its first vehicle, a compact electric truck with a starting price of $24,950, positioning it as one of the least expensive new vehicles in the United States. The company, which counts Amazon founder Jeff Bezos among its investors, announced the pricing and updated specifications on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, more than a year after first unveiling a prototype.

The base model, called the Slate Truck, is a two-door, two-seat pickup. A five-seat SUV configuration, available as either a fastback or squareback design, will start at $29,950. The company stated that deliveries are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year, with production ramping up in 2027.

A key update from the initial prototype is an increased estimated driving range. The vehicle now features a 65-kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate battery, boosting the manufacturer-estimated range from 150 miles to 205 miles. The truck is rear-wheel drive, with a single electric motor producing 181 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Slate claims it can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in eight seconds. Maximum payload capacity is...