Electric trucks have long been seen as the future of pickup vehicles, but high prices have kept many buyers at bay. Major automakers like Ford and Ram have scaled back or canceled their all-electric truck projects, citing costs as a key challenge. For example, the Tesla Cybertruck starts around $80,000, while the Ford F-150 Lightning was priced near $57,000 before being discontinued. Rivian’s R1T also carries a hefty price tag starting at about $75,000. Against this backdrop, a new player called Slate Auto is seeking to change the game by offering an affordable and simple electric pickup truck.
Slate Auto is a startup backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos that debuted its compact two-door electric truck in April 2025. The company has already received over 150,000 refundable preorders and plans to begin production by the end of 2026 at a facility in Indiana. Their main selling point is a low starting price in the mid-$20,000 range, significantly less than existing electric pickups. To achieve this, Slate’s truck offers a very basic design with minimal features—no power windows, no infotainment screen, no speakers, and unpainted composite body panels.
The Slate truck is designed primarily as a functional work vehicle. It includes a single rear electric motor producing 201 horsepower and two-wheel drive. Its size is compact compared to traditional pickups, measuring about 174.6 inches long and with a five-foot bed length. Despite its simplicity, the truck aims to meet high safety standards with features such as traction control, electronic stability control, forward collision warning, and multiple airbags.
Battery options include two U.S.-made nickel manganese cobalt packs: a base 52.7 kWh battery providing an estimated 150 miles of range and an extended 84.3 kWh battery boosting range to around 240 miles. Charging is facilitated through a Tesla-style port capable of up to 120 kW fast charging, allowing an 80% charge in approximately 30 minutes from a DC fast charger.
Slate’s approach also embraces customization through over 100 add-on accessories available for installation by owners or third-party shops. These range from colored wraps and suspension kits to power windows and even an SUV conversion kit that adds rear seating and airbags for about $5,000. Unlike traditional automakers, Slate will not operate dealerships but will rely on independent garages for repairs and upgrades.
This strategy addresses one of the biggest barriers to electric truck adoption: cost. By stripping down features to essentials and allowing buyers to customize as needed later, Slate hopes to attract customers who want affordable electric trucks without paying for extras they do not need. The company’s move could open the door for broader electric pickup adoption in the U.S., especially among buyers who prioritize price and practicality over luxury or advanced technology.
As the market for electric trucks evolves, Slate Auto’s low-cost model backed by significant investment from Jeff Bezos represents an important development. It challenges the dominance of high-priced electric pickups and may push other manufacturers to rethink their strategies for serving mainstream buyers seeking affordable electric vehicles.
