by Slate Auto is preparing to launch the cheapest electric pickup truck in the USA
Slate Auto promises to introduce the simplest electric pickup truck in America, keeping one key detail a secret — the price. It seems the internet has beaten the official announcement, scheduled for June 24, and revealed the cost in advance.
According to The Autopian, attentive readers who explored the source code of the Slate pre-order website found text indicating a starting price of $24,950. This information was not displayed on the page itself but was hidden in the site’s metadata.
The metadata stated: “The Slate pickup truck has everything you need at a CONFIDENTIAL price of $24,950 (reminder: we are all still under a non-disclosure agreement and are forbidden from sharing this).”
Whether this is a genuine leak, an accidental mistake, or a calculated marketing move remains an open question. However, this information is corroborated by a second leak noticed by a The Autopian reader on the Slate retail website, where the same price temporarily appeared.
The most affordable new car in the USA
If the price is confirmed, the Slate Truck will become one of the cheapest new cars on the American market. The base model is maximally simplified: a standard two-seat cab, manual window regulators, and a minimalist interior, allowing the cost to be kept low.
Buyers who desire more comfort, a larger battery, or an SUV body type will be able to add these options later. Slate’s business model is built on selling a basic platform, which owners can gradually upgrade using accessories and enhancements.
Slate vs. Ford: two approaches to affordability
The news about Slate comes as Ford begins to tease its affordable electric pickup truck. The compact Ford truck is expected to arrive around 2027 with a starting price of about $30,000. Unlike the Slate, it will feature a full second row of seats, a large touchscreen, and all modern conveniences. Manual window regulators are unlikely there.
Thus, the two pickup trucks approach price affordability through different paths. Ford is betting on production efficiency and an optimized platform. Slate, on the other hand, is stripping down the trim to the max and trying to create cult demand.
Unfortunately, neither of these electric pickups is likely to reach the $20,000 or lower price that many buyers had hoped for. The cancellation of federal tax incentives for electric vehicles last fall means prices will only rise. Will the $25,000 price tag be low enough to tempt you into buying a Slate Truck, or are you prepared to pay more for the Ford equivalent?
Interestingly, both companies are trying to meet the demand for affordable electric vehicles, but they are doing so using radically different methods. Slate is betting on enthusiasts who are willing to modify the vehicle themselves, while Ford is targeting the mass consumer accustomed to comfort “out of the box.” Amid rising electric vehicle prices, Slate’s strategy may find its niche among those willing to sacrifice convenience for a low price, but whether that will be enough for mass success remains to be seen.
