Slate Auto’s minimalist electric truck gets closer to finally rolling out on the roads. The startup has confirmed that preorders are opening on June 24, 2026, for $300. The EV maker has also been taking refundable $50 reservations, and its latest emails to prospective buyers encourage them to reserve now to secure a delivery window before people who wait for the preorder phase.
We have the preorder dates, just not the actual pricing
Slate had previously grabbed headlines by saying the base version of its EV could start at under $20,000 after a $7,500 federal tax credit. However, the federal credit was later killed, and Slate has since kept the final number vague, later mentioning how it will start in the mid-$20,000 price range.
So June 24 is shaping up to be a big moment for the startup. Slate built its entire identity around the idea of stripping out expensive complexity and selling a simple and customizable EV at a price regular buyers can stomach. So if the price starts straying too far from the original bargain-car promise, the truck may become a tougher sell.
It’s still pretty appealing
Slate describes its upcoming budget EV as a radically simple electric pickup that can be turned into an SUV, a work truck, or something more personalized through accessories and kits. This no-frills approach has found its audience, with Slate reportedly receiving over 160,000 refundable reservations since revealing the EV last year. But it remains to be seen just how many of these convert into actual buyers.
Though I can’t ignore the appeal of a “buy now, upgrade later” approach to EVs. It has great potential, if it can meet the right price point.