The EV market has long been dominated by high-end, high-tech models, perhaps that is set to shift. Michigan-based startup Slate Auto is shaking things up with a bold objective: producing a bare-bones electric pickup for $25,000. Backed originally by well-known investors like Jeff Bezos and driven by public fervor, Slate’s approach could change the game regarding who and how EVs are produced.
Why Affordable Electric Trucks Matter Now
The typical cost of a new car in America is getting close to $50,000, and EVs tend to be even pricier. That puts electric pickup trucks, many of which cost $70,000 or more, beyond the reach of most motorists. As Slate CEO Chris Barman says, “There’s a huge population of individuals out there who need safe, reliable, affordable transportation, and there just aren’t a lot of options for them.”
It’s a space that bigger EV manufacturers haven’t touched. Tesla, the earliest and loudest advocate for mass-production EVs, pledged a $25,000 model years ago but has since shifted toward higher-priced and skunkworks efforts like the Cybertruck and robotaxis.
The Anti-Cybertruck: Slate’s Back-to-Basics EV
Unlike Tesla’s stainless-steel, Cybertruck-from-the-future, Slate Auto’s electric pickup is glad to be plain. The base model features manual windows, no radio, and a no-frills interior. But that’s kind of the point. Priced at $25,000 and likely to fall below $20,000 with federal tax credits, the truck is made for regular use, not luxury.
Slate’s philosophy is one of adaptability. Owners can modify and enhance their truck over time, from adding power windows and audio systems to swapping out exterior panels or transforming the truck into an SUV that seats five. “It’s about offering people the ability to create the truck they require, today and tomorrow,” Barman says. “This can evolve with your life.”
A Do-It-Yourself-Friendly, Modular Design
Slate is advertising a DIY ownership experience. Most upgrades are simple enough for customers to do themselves, and the company is going to serve DIYers with tutorials and certified service partners. The modular design reduces the up-front cost and empowers drivers to choose what is most important to them.
This “blank slate” attitude is a far cry from other EV makers’ closed, software-locked systems. Slate’s truck is designed to be repairable, personal, and accessible.
Strong Early Response and Industry Notice
Within three weeks, Slate Auto accumulated more than 100,000 refundable pre-orders, a clear indicator that motorists are ready for something other than an EV. Preorder figures do not always translate into sales, but the excitement can’t be denied. Media and analysts have both taken notice, especially as Tesla Cybertruck sales have been disappointing.
Slate plans to start mass production in late 2027 or early 2028 with the aim of making 150,000 units a year and restarting abandoned factory production in the Midwest.
Slate is not alone in going after affordability. Rivian and Volkswagen are working on a $22,500 hatchback called the ID. Everyone, and other manufacturers, are working on quiet budget-electric offerings. But Slate’s bare-bones, custom truck may be the most persuasive pitch so far to drivers who are looking for a dependable ride without the frills.
The startup’s success could signal a broader change in the EV landscape—away from status symbols and toward practical, accessible mobility. As Chris Barman says, “We’re not just selling a truck. We’re changing the way people think about owning one.”