Slate EV Truck: Ready To Order
In April 2025, Slate Auto introduced themselves to the automotive media, and revealed their small pickup and SUV. I immediately placed a $50 reservation for one, which gave me a place in line. Just over a year later, Slate is getting ready to announce pricing and production timing. Am I ready to order one?
Related article: Slate Auto: Affordable EV Truck
Ready To Order?
About two weeks ago, I received an email from Slate with details about their next steps in their process. In doing so, they will announce pricing and production timing on June 24th. Production may start at the end of 2026.
When I placed my reservation in April 2025, I did so half-heartedly. I actually questioned whether they would make it to production, but figured a $50 refundable bet was safe. Now I am facing the reality of ordering a new Slate. Is it worth the risk on a new vehicle from a new company?
What Has Changed Since April 2025?
Slate communication has been very good since the April 2025 introduction. They emailed updates on engineering advances, shared videos of vehicle testing, and other behind the scenes activities. They even let Jay Leno test drive a prototype, where he proclaimed it to be an excellent truck.
The Jay Leno endorsement is huge, but the behind the scenes videos captured my attention. Eric Keipper, Head of Engineering, has done an excellent job of showcasing the vehicle structure and things like cold weather testing (including a brutal slush bath test) at Michigan Tech University in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It’s those videos that convinced me that the Slate team has done their homework with this new truck.
Decision Time
This one is easy for me. If Slate keeps their promise of building the base truck in the mid to high $20k range, then I’m in. Even my wife, who hates the idea of buying new vehicles (she won’t let go of her 2014 MINI Countryman), wants to take a chance on Slate. She loves the idea of having an electric vehicle in the household, and a small-sized vehicle with a usable bed is very appealing to her.
I will know more details on pricing and production timing on June 24th. As I said above, if they keep their promise I will order one.
Build Configuration
The Slate build is simple–all trucks will come off the line in identical configuration. They will all be the same color (gray molding in color composite bodies) with the same basic equipment. A good friend of mine was a manufacturing launch manager at GM, and he was jealous of the simple build configuration. That supports my belief as well.
Any accessories or vinyl wraps happen after production. Slate will do it for you at the plant or you can do it yourself after you take delivery. I plan to order the base truck, then add accessories at a later time.
Final Thoughts
Am I ready to order a Slate EV truck? Assuming Slate comes through on reasonable pricing, I plan to be one of the first orders. So much about their company, vehicle, and processes feels like the early days of Saturn Corporation. That, coupled with a customizable fun truck, makes this feel like the right decision.
I’ll share more after June 24th, so stay tuned!
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