Slate EV Truck: Price, Specs, and How It Stacks Up Off-Road

 8 min read

Slate EV Truck Price Reveal: What You Get for $24,950

The Slate EV truck price is finally official: $24,950 before taxes and fees. Slate Auto, the startup backed by Jeff Bezos, revealed the number on June 24, 2026, alongside updated specs for its bare-bones electric pickup. For off-road shoppers used to $50,000-plus rigs, the figure stands out. Notably, Slate calls it the most affordable truck in America, and the math supports the claim for now.

Slate aims this truck at budget buyers and light-duty adventurers, not hardcore rock crawlers. The two-seat pickup starts simple, then grows with accessories as your needs change. Because the base model skips screens and power features, the price stays low. For weekend campers and gravel-road explorers, this approach makes practical sense.

Compared to the Ford Maverick, the nearest affordable rival, the Slate undercuts most gas and electric trucks on sticker price. However, the out-the-door cost climbs once you add taxes, destination, and the accessories most owners will want. Still, a new pickup under $25,000 is rare in 2026. For context, Edmunds reports only 4.7% of new vehicles sold in 2025 landed below this mark.

Picture a fire-road camping trip or a supply run to a remote trailhead. The Slate handles those tasks with 205 miles of range and a 1,550-pound payload. For deep desert or technical trails, though, its single rear motor and modest hardware set real limits. This affordable electric truck targets the easy 80% of adventures, not the extreme edge.

Key Specs at a Glance

The Slate Truck specs shifted since the April 2025 reveal. Notably, the updated Slate Truck specs add range, payload, and towing while trimming horsepower. The table below uses Slate Auto’s official figures.

Range, Payload, and Towing for Off-Road Use

Slate boosted the truck’s range from an early 150-mile estimate to about 205 miles. The upgrade comes from a larger 65 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery. For off-road buyers, range matters because trails and remote campsites sit far from chargers. Therefore, 205 miles of Slate Truck range gives a usable buffer for day trips. Still, it trails the Rivian R2 and Scout Terra, which both target 300-plus miles.

Payload reaches 1,550 pounds, and towing tops out at 2,000 pounds. Those numbers beat many car-based crossovers, yet they fall short of a Ford Maverick, which tows up to 4,000 pounds when equipped. For a rooftop tent, recovery gear, and a weekend of supplies, 1,550 pounds of payload works well. Heavier trailers and large campers, however, push past the Slate’s limits.

Charging and Real-World Driving

Charging stays flexible. You plug into a standard 120-volt outlet, a 240-volt dryer outlet, or any of roughly 29,000 Tesla Superchargers through the included NACS port. Because Slate bundles the adapters, you avoid extra purchases at delivery. For overlanders, Supercharger access reduces range anxiety on highway stretches before the dirt begins.

On pavement, the single rear motor produces 181 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Slate estimates a 0-to-60 time of 8.0 seconds and a 90-mph top speed. These figures suit commuting and trail-access roads. For sand dunes or steep climbs, though, a dual-motor EV delivers more confidence and traction.

A Bare-Bones Build Off-Roaders Will Recognize

Slate strips the truck down to essentials. The base model uses hand-crank windows, physical buttons, and no infotainment screen. For wheelers who distrust touchscreens on the trail, this simplicity appeals. Fewer electronics also mean fewer failure points far from help. This back-to-basics idea echoes a wider movement, which we covered in why simplicity is making a comeback in overlanding.

The body wears a single gray composite finish with no factory paint. Instead, Slate sells wraps in more than 100 colors, with full wraps priced under $500. Because the company skips a paint shop, it saves hundreds of millions in build costs and passes the savings to buyers. Composite panels also resist dents and scratches, a useful trait on tight, brushy trails.

Repairability sits at the center of the design. Panels swap out, parts stay accessible, and Slate posts free repair manuals through its “Slate University” videos. For owners who wrench on their own rigs, this open approach beats sealed, dealer-only systems. As a result, a minor trail scrape becomes a driveway fix instead of a shop visit.

Truck, SUV, and 200-Plus Accessories

Slate sells one vehicle, then lets you reshape it. Buyers start with the two-seat pickup, and later add a five-seat SUV kit in Squareback or Fastback form. The Slate SUV configuration starts at $29,950. As a five-seat rig, the Slate SUV carries a 1,263-pound payload, lower than the pickup’s 1,550 pounds. Because the conversion happens after purchase, you pay for the larger body style only when you need it.

More than 200 accessories round out the catalog, and over 80% cost under $500. The list includes roof racks, stereos, seat covers, wheels, and lighting. For overland builds, roof racks and auxiliary lighting top the priority list. Similarly, a stereo and a second row turn the truck into a family-friendly basecamp. Every Slate also ships with a 10-year, 110,000-mile battery and powertrain warranty, which adds peace of mind for a new brand.

Slate EV Truck Price and What You Pay Out the Door

The Slate EV truck price of $24,950 excludes taxes, title, registration, destination, and documentation fees. As a result, your real out-the-door cost runs higher. For a rough ballpark, plan on roughly $27,000 to $28,000 once destination and typical fees stack up, before any accessories. Slate also dropped its original “under $20,000” pitch, which depended on the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. Because Congress ended the incentive in September 2025, the discount no longer applies.

To lock a delivery window, Slate Auto now asks for a $300 preorder. Earlier reservation holders paid $50, and the company reports more than 180,000 reservations to date. Reservation counts, however, rarely predict real sales. For reference, the Ford F-150 Lightning gathered around 200,000 reservations, yet it lasted only four model years before discontinuation.

Slate has raised roughly $1.4 billion across three funding rounds. Backers include Bezos’ family office, Guggenheim CEO Mark Walter, TWG Global, and General Catalyst. For buyers, deep funding lowers the odds of a stalled launch. Even so, no startup automaker carries zero risk, and first deliveries are still months away.

Slate vs. Ford Maverick and Rivian R2

Against the Ford Maverick, the Slate wins on price and electric simplicity. The Maverick, however, tows up to 4,000 pounds, offers available all-wheel drive, and refuels in minutes anywhere. For long, remote trips with a trailer, the gas-hybrid Maverick still leads on flexibility.

Against the Rivian R2, the contrast widens further. The R2 targets 300-plus miles of range, dual-motor traction, and serious off-road hardware, yet it starts near $45,000. Therefore, the Slate fits shoppers who value a low price and light-duty use, while the R2 suits buyers who want capability first. Our Rivian R2 off-road breakdown covers the platform in depth.

Buyers weighing the wider field should also study midsize options. Compared to a Toyota Tacoma or Chevy Colorado, the Slate trades trail hardware for affordability and easy repairs. For a ranked look at the segment, see our guide to the best midsize overland trucks for 2026. If you specifically want a deeper overlanding angle, read our take on the Slate as a light-duty overlanding rig.

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict

The Slate Truck suits budget-minded drivers and light-duty off-roaders who want a simple, fixable EV. Its biggest strength is the price. At $24,950, it undercuts nearly every new truck on sale, and the 205-mile range covers most weekend trips to the trailhead.

The trade-offs are real, though. A single rear motor, 2,000-pound towing limit, and no all-wheel drive rule it out for serious rock crawling or heavy trailer duty. Buyers who tackle technical terrain or tow large campers should look elsewhere. Range-focused adventurers will also notice the gap against 300-mile rivals.

On value, the Slate makes a strong case as an affordable electric truck for the right driver. The repairable design, dent-resistant body, and low entry price fit overlanders who keep builds simple and budgets tight. Accessory costs and the lost tax credit, however, mean you should price the full build before you commit.

For a light-duty rig and daily commuter built to handle dirt roads and basecamp duty, the Slate earns a serious look. If you need real trail capability and longer range, the Rivian R2 or a proven midsize like the Toyota Tacoma remains the safer pick.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Slate EV truck cost?

The Slate EV truck price starts at $24,950 before taxes, title, registration, and destination fees. The five-seat SUV version starts at $29,950. Your final out-the-door cost runs higher once you add fees and accessories.

What is the range of the Slate Truck?

The Slate Truck range reaches an estimated 205 miles from a 65 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery. The figure rose from an earlier 150-mile target. For highway trips, the included NACS port opens access to roughly 29,000 Tesla Superchargers.

Is the Slate Truck good for off-road and overlanding?

The Slate works for light-duty overlanding, such as fire roads, gravel, and basecamp trips. Its 1,550-pound payload carries gear well. However, a single rear motor and no all-wheel drive limit it on technical or steep terrain.

How much does the Slate Truck tow and haul?

The Slate Truck tows up to 2,000 pounds and carries a 1,550-pound payload. Those numbers fit small trailers and overland gear. For heavier towing near 4,000 pounds, a Ford Maverick remains the stronger choice.

When will the Slate Truck be available?

Slate expects first deliveries in late 2026, during the fourth quarter. A $300 preorder locks your delivery window. The company reports more than 180,000 reservations, though reservations rarely match final sales.

Does the Slate Truck qualify for the federal EV tax credit?

No. Congress ended the $7,500 federal EV tax credit in September 2025. As a result, Slate dropped its original “under $20,000” pricing pitch, and $24,950 is the current starting figure.