Slate Auto has crossed a major milestone. In just two weeks, over 100,000 people have reserved its new electric pickup truck. The EV startup confirmed the number shortly after debuting the truck in Los Angeles.
Priced under $20,000 after the federal EV tax credit, the truck promises both affordability and customization. Slate plans to build it in Warsaw, Indiana, inside a converted printing plant.
Chief commercial officer Jeremy Snyder said the company was humbled by the strong response. He added that this surge shows how much demand exists for a fresh, budget-friendly EV.
But these early wins don’t always guarantee long-term success. Slate only requires a $50 deposit to reserve a truck—and it’s fully refundable. That makes it easy for curious buyers to jump in without much risk.
The EV space has seen big reservation numbers before. Fisker once claimed 60,000 reservations for its Ocean SUV. But it sold just a few thousand before going bankrupt. Lordstown Motors hyped preorder numbers, too. Then it collapsed and faced SEC charges for misleading investors.
Still, Slate Auto seems determined to avoid those missteps. The truck’s standout feature is flexibility. Customers will be able to convert it into an SUV, although pricing for that version hasn’t been announced.
The company has ambitious plans. Slate expects to build up to 150,000 vehicles a year by the end of 2027. To support that goal, it’s backed by powerful investors. Jeff Bezos, via his family office Bezos Expeditions, is one of them. Others include Guggenheim Partners CEO Mark Walter and VC firm General Catalyst.
Slate Auto may be young, but it’s moving fast. If the momentum holds—and reservations turn into real sales—it could become one of the most exciting new names in the EV world.
