Slate Auto just burst onto the EV scene with a $20,000 customizable electric pickup truck backed by Jeff Bezos. The startup shocked the industry by working secretly for three years in Troy, Michigan, near Detroit’s big automakers.
The issue started when TechCrunch broke the story on April 8 revealing Slate’s stealth operation and billionaire backers including LA Dodgers owner Mark Walter. Their pitch: an ultra-cheap EV pickup starting near $25K, modular like a “Transformer.” Former Harley-Davidson and Chrysler vets help drive customization.
Soon after, on April 10, a prototype slipped into public view in Long Beach, California, confirmed by TechCrunch after sightings on Reddit. Then by April 21, Slate teased multiple “Transformer-like” EV styles on the streets ahead of their April 24 launch. 
The launch rolled out in Long Beach with a stripped-down truck priced under $20,000 including the federal $7,500 EV tax credit. The base model offers just 150 miles range, no power windows, no infotainment screen, not even paint. But you can swap nearly everything, from seats to silhouette.
The company zeroed in on a dormant 1.4 million sq. ft. factory in Warsaw, Indiana, to start production in late 2026. Demand is high — by May 12, Slate confirmed 100,000 refundable $50 reservations.
However, the Trump administration’s tax credit cut on July 3 ended the $7,500 EV rebate by September, forcing Slate to drop the under-$20K claim from its website immediately.
On July 8, LA VC firm Slauson & Co. explained why they jumped into Slate’s 2023 funding round alongside Bezos, fueling the startup’s fast hype and ambitious plans.
Slate Auto remains a wildcard in the EV market. Its low-cost, highly customizable EV truck model is breaking norms, but faces hurdles ahead as production gears up.
Read more about Slate Auto’s secret launch and Jeff Bezos backing on Slate Auto’s official site.
