Slate Auto, the electric vehicle startup quietly backed by Jeff Bezos, has removed references to an “under $20,000” starting price for its much-anticipated pickup truck following the Trump administration’s decision to terminate the federal electric vehicle tax credit. The change appeared shortly after Congress passed the President’s comprehensive tax cut bill, expected to be signed into law on July 4. The legislation abolishes the $7,500 federal incentive for electric vehicles beginning in September, a subsidy Slate heavily factored into its promotional pricing strategy.
Since April, Slate consistently emphasized an entry-level price point below $20,000 thanks to the tax credit, prominently featuring this price on its website as recently as yesterday. Following the abrupt legislative shift, that promotional material has disappeared without immediate explanation from Slate representatives, who declined further comment.
While Slate’s exact revised starting price remains to be clarified, the removal of the “under $20,000” claim represents a considerable setback in the company’s mission to introduce truly affordable electric transportation. The attractiveness of such a low-cost electric truck played a pivotal role in the vehicle’s marketing campaign, resonating deeply with American consumers discouraged by continually rising automotive prices.
However, actual production remains several years away, with assembly not scheduled until at least late 2026. Slate’s business model relies heavily on customization options, suggesting relatively few buyers might opt for the most basic—and therefore cheapest—configuration. Despite this, the vehicle’s originally promoted affordability drew significant attention and played a large part in the company’s rapid reservation growth immediately after the unveiling.
During its April launch event, the startup’s Chief Commercial Officer, Jeremy Snyder, openly criticized prevailing automobile pricing trends, asserting, “The auto industry has driven prices to a point most Americans simply can’t afford. But we’re here to change that.” Echoing these sentiments at the same occasion, CEO Chris Barman reinforced Slate Auto’s vision: “We’re building the affordable vehicle that’s long been promised but never delivered.”
