Slate EV truck pre-orders will open on June 24

Source: Engadget

Pre‑order Details

Slate announced that pre‑orders for its upcoming all‑electric truck will open on June 24. Consumers can finalize configurations and lock in a delivery window by placing a $300 non‑refundable deposit. This option is only available to those who have already paid a $50 reservation fee (reserve here).

Final pricing will be revealed on the pre‑order date, likely presented directly to buyers during the configuration process.

Pricing and Reservations

When the bare‑bones trucks were first announced, a key selling point was the $20,000 price (Engadget article). That figure assumed a $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles, which was eliminated by recent legislation (details). As a result, the final cost is still uncertain. Slate indicates that production will likely start in the mid‑2020s (FAQ), but notes that the price is subject to change for the U.S. market.

Slate reports over 160,000 reservations for the truck, each costing $50 and being refundable.

Vehicle Features

The entry‑level model, called the Blank Slate, is designed to be budget‑friendly. It comes equipped with heating and air conditioning, while most other features must be purchased separately as accessories. Notably, the truck ships with crank windows.

Accessories and Options

Slate offers more than 100 accessories, including:

• Power windows
• Roof racks
• Stereo systems
• Paint colors
• Fender flares
• Bumper guards

These options can quickly increase the overall price. An SUV conversion kit is also available, expected to cost $5,000 (The Drive article, forum discussion).

Investor and Board Update

Jeff Bezos is a key investor in Slate, despite recently losing representation on the company’s board of directors (TechCrunch report). The upcoming pre‑order window will reveal how demand translates into actual sales.