Slate sets a price for its cheap electric pickup truck… but not that cheap
Slate Automotive has finally put a price tag, albeit still tentative, on its affordable electric pickup truck. The American startup, which until now has operated on a reservation system with a $100 deposit, told Road & Track that the target price for the production model will be "between $34,000 and $45,000," according to co-founder and CEO Ryan Weed. This figure is significant because the main draw of the Slate project was a very low starting price for a compact, practical electric pickup. There's no final price or configurator yet, but Weed himself acknowledges that most reservations are coming in for the higher trim levels, pushing the price point toward the upper end of that range.
Slate's approach is simple: offer a compact, everyday electric pickup truck with a bed designed for light work and leisure, without getting caught up in the horsepower, luxury, or size wars of the large American full-size trucks. The focus is on functionality and a price as low as possible within the limitations of current battery technology. Even so, the $34,000-$45,000 price range makes it clear that it will be difficult to call it a truly "cheap" product when compared to entry-level combustion engine pickups or even some hybrid models. Weed admits that battery cost remains the key factor and that, without subsidies or government assistance, reducing the price below that range would be difficult. The company still hasn't provided a firm launch schedule or definitive specifications such as battery capacity, rated range, power, or payload and towing capacities. Production figures, projected volumes, and the final factory location have also not been released. For now, Slate's message is focused on this price target and gauging public response. Another point Road & Track highlights is that Slate sees its pickup truck more as an everyday tool than an aspirational object. The idea is to meet transportation needs, DIY projects, small businesses, or outdoor activities, taking advantage of the benefits of an electric vehicle (low cost per kilometer, reduced maintenance) without inflating the price with superfluous luxuries. The context doesn't help either: the electric pickup market in the US already has strong players like Ford (F-150 Lightning), Rivian (R1T), and Tesla (Cybertruck), all of which are considerably more expensive in their standard versions.
Slate's niche lies precisely in lowering its price and size. The question is whether that $34,000 to $45,000 price range will be enough to make a difference. Weed doesn't rule out the possibility of adjusting prices over time as component costs decrease. But for now, the company prefers to be cautious and use that range as a reference point for interested parties. Reservations are still open with a refundable $100 deposit. Without finalized specifications or production underway, the Slate pickup remains, to a large extent, a promise. What is starting to take shape, however, is the answer to the big question: how much will it cost? And the reality is that this "cheap electric vehicle" won't be able to completely escape the general inflation of new cars, nor the cost of batteries.
