by Slate Auto’s Journey: From Idea to Reality
For Slate Auto, it has been a whirlwind of events since its founding four years ago. Initially, the company planned to release an electric vehicle for under $20,000. Then Donald Trump eliminated the $7,500 tax credit that made such a price possible. Now, the company is preparing to open its order book on June 24, but it still lacks one crucial detail—the price buyers will have to pay.
Start of Pre-Orders
Today, the electric vehicle startup backed by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos sent an email to potential buyers, announcing that pre-orders will begin in June. Specifically, they will open on June 24, and those who join earlier will evidently receive a “delivery window before those who did not make a reservation.”
More: Slate Auto Replaces CEO Months Before Launching $25,000–$30,000 EV
This date is roughly a month from the time of writing, but the official base price for the small electric pickup is still unknown. The figure will apparently be announced on the day orders open. For now, Slate only says the pickup will cost somewhere in the “mid-$20,000s.”
Reservation and Deposit Process
If not knowing the price was one obstacle for potential buyers, the pre-order and reservation process may be another. According to a post on Slateforums, on June 24, those who already have a reservation will receive an assigned delivery window and a link to complete their pre-order.
Customers will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of $300 (minus their $50 reservation fee, if already paid). Those with reservations have 30 days starting June 24 to make the deposit. Slate reportedly has over 160,000 reservation holders.
Slate Photos
If those 30 days pass, they can still place a pre-order, but their delivery window will move further back in the queue. Importantly, the deposit will be applied toward the final price of the vehicle. The customer email states that in the fall of this year, they will have the chance to choose upholstery and accessories, select financing, complete the purchase, and then choose how they want to receive their Slate.
Read: The New Slate Electric Pickup Is So Simple, Even the Repair Network Is DIY
Keep in mind that even those who make a reservation and complete a pre-order will have to wait for delivery until mid-2027. In the meantime, Slate says it will offer customers the opportunity to see the vehicle up close, but there is no information on how exactly this will happen or where these locations will be. Hopefully, the rollout of pre-orders will provide answers to the many lingering questions.
Slate Photos
Overall, the situation surrounding Slate Auto demonstrates the complexity of bringing an affordable electric vehicle to market amid changing regulatory policies. The absence of a final price a month before orders open raises questions about the company’s financial model, especially after losing the tax credit. Nevertheless, the huge number of reservations indicates significant demand for cheap electric vehicles, even if delivery will only occur a few years later. This could be either a sign of trust in the brand or a risk for buyers who may lose their deposit if the company fails to deliver on its promises.
