Tech
Jun 17, 2026 Major2
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Slate Electric Truck Price Leaked at $24,950, Positioning It as America's Cheapest New Pickup
Slate's electric pickup truck price of $24,950 was leaked through website source code, positioning it as the cheapest new pickup in the United States. The discovery occurred ahead of the company's scheduled June 24, 2026 price announcement, with speculation as to whether the leak was accidental or an intentional marketing strategy.
Quick Facts
Who
Slate Auto
What
Electric pickup truck price disclosed in website source code
When
June 17, 2026 (leak reported)
Where
Slate Auto website
- Electric pickup truck price disclosed in website source code
- Price found in metadata of 'How to Preorder' webpage
- Price briefly appeared on FAQ section and Facebook group
- Official price announcement scheduled
- Comparison with Ford and Chevrolet EV pricing
The price of the Slate electric pickup truck has been inadvertently disclosed through the source code of the company's website ahead of its official announcement scheduled for June 24, 2026. The entry-level price of $24,950 (before destination charges) was discovered by a reader in the metadata of Slate's "How to Preorder" webpage and subsequently reported by The Autopian. The price also briefly appeared on Slate's public-facing FAQ section and in a company Facebook group before being removed.
At $24,950, the Slate would become the lowest-priced new pickup truck and one of the most affordable new electric vehicles currently available in the United States. This undercuts Ford's upcoming electric pickup truck, which is expected to start just under $30,000, and the Chevrolet Bolt EV, priced at $27,600. The Slate achieves this price point through aggressive cost-cutting measures, including manual crank windows, an unpainted composite body, a rear-mounted 201-horsepower electric motor, and a standard 52.7 kWh battery pack offering approximately 150 miles of range. Additional features such as a stereo system and center display are optional, and the truck has a towing capacity of only 1,000 pounds.
The method of disclosure has raised questions about whether the price leak was accidental or a deliberate marketing tactic. The source code contained a conspicuous reminder stating "CONFIDENTIAL price of $24,950 (reminder: we're all still under NDA and prohibited from sharing this)," which some observers suggest may have been intentionally placed to generate anticipation. This aligns with Slate's unconventional marketing approach, which previously included guerrilla tactics such as parking prototypes on public streets to attract media attention. Slate, backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has maintained a minimalist design philosophy, positioning the truck as a stripped-down, highly customizable tool rather than a feature-laden consumer vehicle.
Despite the competitive pricing, the Slate faces significant hurdles to market success. The company currently operates without any showrooms or authorized service centers, whereas Ford can leverage its network of approximately 3,000 dealers nationwide. Additionally, potential buyers may be deterred by the truck's single-cab configuration, limited range, and spartan interior. However, Slate's proponents argue that the minimalist approach and affordable price point address a genuine market demand for a simple, cost-effective electric truck. The company's official price announcement is expected within days of this leak.
Why This Matters
For consumers seeking affordable electric vehicles, this leak reveals that a genuinely budget-friendly pickup may be imminent—at under $25,000, the Slate would reshape the EV market's accessibility tier. For investors and industry observers, it signals aggressive disruption of the traditional truck market by a Bezos-backed startup, while raising questions about whether Slate's minimalist approach (no dealerships, spartan features) can overcome logistics and buyer expectations. The timing and conspicuous "confidential" note also highlight evolving marketing tactics in automotive launches.