Slate Reveals $24,950 Electric Pickup As Future Rival To Ford’s Affordable EV Truck

Startup automaker Slate Auto has released new details about its first production vehicle, confirming a starting price of $24,950 and a 205-mile driving range.

The minimalist electric pickup is expected to compete with Ford’s upcoming affordable EV truck, though both companies have suggested the vehicles will target different buyers due to differences in size, features, and capability.

Slate Focuses On Affordability And Customization

The company’s debut vehicle is built around a simple, highly customizable platform that can be configured as either a pickup truck or an SUV. Pricing starts at $24,950 for the pickup model before destination charges, while the Squareback SUV variant begins at $29,950 and the Fastback SUV starts at $31,950.

Slate has not yet disclosed pricing for most optional accessories, but the vehicle is positioned as one of the most affordable new EVs expected to enter the U.S. market. The pricing also gives Slate a notable advantage over Ford’s upcoming low-cost electric pickup, which is currently targeting a starting price of around $30,000, according to Ford Authority.

The company’s strategy centers on offering a basic vehicle that owners can personalize over time, allowing customers to add accessories and conversion kits based on their needs rather than paying for features upfront.

Customers can already place reservations with a $300 deposit, though final configurations are not expected to become available until later this year. Deliveries are currently targeted for 2027.

Single Battery Option Delivers More Than 200 Miles Of Range

Slate also announced a significant change to its battery strategy. Earlier plans called for two battery options, including a standard-range pack with roughly 150 miles of range and an extended-range version capable of approximately 240 miles.

Instead, the company has streamlined the lineup to a single lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack delivering an estimated 205 miles of range. The battery will be assembled in the United States using cells sourced from China, a move that may reflect shifting market conditions following the elimination of the federal EV tax credit.

The updated configuration also brings modest improvements in utility. Slate now estimates maximum payload capacity at 1,550 pounds and maximum towing capacity at 2,000 pounds.

While those figures fall below what many traditional truck buyers may expect, Slate appears focused on urban drivers and budget-conscious consumers seeking a practical electric vehicle rather than a heavy-duty work truck. As affordable EV competition intensifies, the company’s pricing strategy could make it one of the most closely watched new entrants in the market over the next several years.

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