You remember the talk about an ultra-quick, stripped-down electric truck, available for under $20k? Well, that dream just took a detour. Slate, the EV startup funded by amazon's Jeff Bezos, has reverse course following a major policy change by the U.S. , and now the truck will definitely cost much more than expected. If you were planning on picking up a budget truck, here is what we do know.
The $20K Promise Is No Longer Valid
Slate was initially selling a super-basic electric truck that would cost less than $20,000 once the federal EV tax credit of 7,500 was applied. With that tax credit now dead and gone thanks to legislation recently passed, Slate had to make a change.
New price point: Slate shows the truck is now starting in the "mid-twenties," which is somewhere between $25,000-27,000.
That's still a fairly cheap electric truck, but it's a pretty significant psychological leap for buyers who were expecting something closer to gas-car pricing.
What Happened to the Tax Credit?
The federal EV tax credit was a $7,500 incentive that helped make electric vehicles more affordable in the U.S. It was one of the most important parts of the EV adoption strategy — that’s changing fast.
Last week, former President Donald Trump signed into law a bill that eliminates this tax credit completely starting September 30, 2025. This means that anybody that buys an EV after that won’t have it, including Slate’s early adopters.
Why does this matter?
- It pushes affordable EVs out of range for so many first-time buyers.
- Startups like Slate now need to rethink their pricing or value propositions.
- This could sluggish EV uptake in rural and middle-income markets.
Introducing the Slate Truck — The No-Nonsense Workhorse
This is not your average flashy EV with self-driving components and 15 inch touchscreens. This truck has one purpose, and one purpose only and that is function, not flair:
Notable Aspects:
- No paint (bare steel body)
- Manual crank windows
- No touchscreen or stereo
- Two seats and a flat bed
- Basic rear-wheel drive
It is like the pickup version of a blank canvas — something for DIYers, contractors, and minimalists to get excited about. The aim of the Slate Truck was to provide people with a vehicle that they could customize without paying for luxury features they did not want.
Why People are Disappointed
This is more than about numbers. For many, the Slate truck was more than a vehicle, it was an example of accessibility in EVs not just for the rich early adopters.
What people said online:
- "It was finally something I could afford."
- "They took away the one that didn't feel like a gadget."
- "Without the credit, this isn't the people's truck any longer."
Slate claims it received over 100,000 refundable reservations in just weeks - an astounding demonstration of the pent up demand for affordable EVs from average Americans. The price change may not halt the momentum Slate started, but it certainly takes the wind out of sales.
Is the Slate Challenging Still Worth It?
Even with the price increase, the Slate still can be considered among the cheapest EV pickups on the market. Most of its competitors such as the Ford F-150 Lightning or the Tesla Cybertruck, start above $50K.
If Slate can keep the new price around $25K, and has good range and durability, it could still be a bargain - especially for people wanting a basic work truck, and not a toy truck.
Still a good option if you:
- Need an electric truck, without any frills
- Don’t mind the lack of tech features
- Want something cheap to operate & maintain.
Slate Truck Key Specifications
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Conclusions
The Slate truck was definitely the prospect to be a game-changer, a no-frills electric pickup truck that would be priced to compete with used gas vehicles. The federal EV tax credit is no longer available which dented that concept. But even with a new price in the mid-$20,000s at least Slate's truck is one of the least expensive vehicles in its class.
Though no longer under $20K, it's still an audacious step to take in an electrified market filled with expensive tech-loaded EVs. Buyers looking for simplicity and utility with an energy cost of around $0.05 per mile may still find Slate's truck appealing, although not quite as budget-friendly as it once was.
Source(Image / Thumbnail): carscoops
