Electric Truck Starts at $24,950 With 205-Mile Range

An electric truck just hit the US market at $24,950, making it cheaper than nearly every vehicle on sale today. Slate Auto opened preorders this week for its no-frills pickup that costs roughly half the $50,000 average price of a new car in America.

The bare-bones approach is the entire strategy. The truck comes with hand-crank windows, no touchscreen, and a single gray finish with no paint options to choose from.

Slate sidesteps the cost of an expensive factory paint shop by selling customizable wraps instead. By stripping out everything but the essentials, the company created the most affordable new vehicle in America.

The base model delivers 205 miles of range from a 65 kWh battery, up from the originally planned 150 miles. A single rear motor puts out 181 horsepower, and the two-seat pickup can convert into a five-seat SUV for $29,950.

Slate released "Slate University" videos showing buyers how to make the conversion themselves. The DIY approach extends to adding accessories like headlight covers and customizing the exterior with wraps.

Jeff Bezos backed the startup through his family office, helping Slate raise $1.4 billion across three funding rounds. The company plans to sell directly to customers without traditional dealerships, similar to Tesla and Rivian.

The price does come with a backstory. Slate originally promised the truck would cost "under $20,000" with the $7,500 federal EV tax credit included, but policy changes eliminated that credit entirely.

Even at the new $24,950 starting price, Slate undercuts every electric competitor. The Chevy Bolt starts around $29,000, the Nissan Leaf around $32,000, and Ford's promised $30,000 electric truck won't arrive until 2027.

The Ripple Effect

If Slate delivers on its promise, it could reshape what Americans expect from electric vehicles. The new car market has climbed so far upmarket that a sub-$30,000 vehicle now makes national headlines.

The approach proves automakers don't need to pack every car with screens and sensors to make EVs work. By focusing on durability and simplicity instead of luxury features, Slate targets the millions of Americans priced out of the current market.

Plenty of EV startups have promised affordable vehicles and failed to deliver at scale. Slate still needs to prove it can build these trucks profitably and meet the end-of-2026 delivery timeline.

But the bet itself matters. One successful example of a simple, affordable, durable electric vehicle could change the entire conversation about transportation and climate progress in America.