Slate Auto Adjusts Pricing as Federal EV Tax Credit Ends

Slate Auto, an electric vehicle startup backed by Jeff Bezos, has removed its previous promotion of a starting price ‘under $20,000’ for its upcoming electric pickup truck. This change follows the passing of a new tax cut bill by the Trump administration, which will end the federal EV tax credit of $7,500 starting in September 2025. The startup had initially relied on this credit to keep the price of its all-electric pickup truck affordable. While Slate Auto did not provide a new starting price, this change marks a significant shift for the company’s strategy. The federal tax credit was a key factor in promoting the truck’s affordability, especially as the company aims to build a customizable electric vehicle. The truck’s production is expected to begin no earlier than late 2026. Slate Auto’s founder and CEO, Chris Barman, has previously emphasized the company’s mission to make electric vehicles more affordable for the average consumer. This shift in pricing could challenge the startup’s original appeal of offering a sub-$20,000 electric truck, which was seen as a solution to the increasing costs in the automotive industry.