Slate Wants $300 From EV Truck Buyers Before Revealing The Final Price

Preorders Open With a Missing Variable

Slate Auto has officially announced it will open its order books on June 24 for its highly anticipated electric pickup truck. However, the ambitious EV startup is asking buyers to commit real money before knowing the exact final sticker price, a Slate Forums post reveals. The company currently promises a starting price in the mid-$20,000 range, with the official pricing numbers dropping on the same day orders go live.

This next phase requires customers to submit a $300 non-refundable deposit, though existing reservation holders can credit their initial $50 fee toward the total. More than 160,000 eager hand-raisers will have a strict 30-day window to lock in their priority delivery slots. This transition marks the latest chapter in a wild four-year journey for a company whose initial target was upended by shifting federal tax credit policies.

A Turbulent Path to Production

The Jeff Bezos-backed startup has generated intense consumer interest since its inception. Slate garnered a lot of buzz when it was first announced by proposing a bare-bones truck with manual windows and no big screens to keep costs low. The affordable EV strategy gained significant momentum when the company received a major finance boost from the state of Michigan to support its development.

Despite the financial backing, the road toward the assembly line has been notably rocky for the young automaker. The startup has experienced multiple shake-ups and even has a new CEO, an Amazon veteran, to guide the brand forward just months before this launch. Furthermore, Slate won't have dedicated service centers, but instead, let your local mechanic or service center do the job.

The Lowdown

The Slate hype continues as the brand is now set to open deposits, even before the final price is revealed. While the deposit applies directly to the final purchase price, buyers will still face a lengthy wait, as deliveries will not begin until mid-2027. Consumers must choose to trust the vague estimates or risk falling to the back of the line.

Vehicle customization, accessory selection, and final financing structures will not take place until later this fall. Slate has promised public viewing opportunities before production begins, but specific details on locations and dates remain entirely unconfirmed. For now, early adopters are being asked to invest their hard-earned money in a promising corporate vision rather than a finalized automotive product.

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