Slate Auto, the electric vehicle startup supported by Jeff Bezos, has decided to no longer advertise its upcoming pickup truck as starting “under $20,000” due to the implications of President Trump’s tax cut bill. With the federal EV tax credit set to expire in September, the $7,500 incentive that Slate had relied on to achieve this price point will no longer be available.
Upon emerging from stealth mode in April, Slate Auto had emphasized that its all-electric pickup truck would launch at a price point below $20,000, factoring in the federal EV tax credit. Despite this, the company’s website still displayed this claim until recently, as per the Web Archive records.
This development poses a challenge to Slate Auto’s goal of producing an exceptionally affordable electric vehicle.
No specific pricing details were disclosed during the vehicle’s unveiling, leaving the actual starting price of the EV without the tax credit uncertain. Slate Auto declined to comment on this modification.
Production of the pickup truck is not expected to commence until at least the end of 2026. Additionally, Slate Auto’s business model revolves around offering extensive customization options for the vehicle, which may lead to limited demand for the base model.
The initial sub-$20,000 price point served as a key selling point for the company’s product following its launch in April.
During the launch event, Jeremy Snyder, the chief commercial officer, highlighted the auto industry’s pricing trends that have rendered vehicles unaffordable for many Americans. He expressed Slate Auto’s mission to address this issue.
CEO Chris Barman echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the company’s commitment to delivering the affordable vehicle that has long been promised but never realized.
