Slate Auto to Announce Pricing and Begin Taking Preorders on June 24, 2026

Slate Auto, an electric vehicle startup backed by Jeff Bezos and LA Dodgers owner Mark Walter, will announce its vehicle pricing and begin accepting non-refundable preorders on June 24, 2026, with first deliveries expected later in the year. The company sent emails to prospective buyers encouraging them to secure $50 refundable reservations now, which will grant earlier delivery windows compared to those who begin preordering at $300 on June 24.

The four-year-old startup emerged from stealth in April 2025 with ambitious plans to manufacture a simple, customizable vehicle convertible from a two-seater truck to a five-seater SUV. Originally positioned to start under $20,000 with the federal tax credit, the elimination of the $7,500 tax credit by the Trump administration and Congress forced Slate to adjust its pricing strategy. The company has indicated the vehicle will now start in the mid-$20,000 range, with exact pricing to be revealed on June 24.

Slate has captured substantial consumer interest, with more than 160,000 potential customers having made refundable $50 reservations since the vehicle's public reveal. The startup has strengthened its operational capacity by appointing Peter Faricy, former Amazon Marketplace vice president, as CEO in March. Many senior leadership positions have been filled by ex-Amazon executives, shaping the company's organizational culture and operational approach.

Financially, Slate closed a $650 million Series C funding round in April, bringing its total capital raised to approximately $1.4 billion. Much of the funding appears to have originated from Mark Walter's financial firm, TWG Global. While Jeff Bezos was instrumental in early funding rounds, his involvement in subsequent rounds remains unclear. In May, it was revealed that Bezos's family office manager had stepped down from her position on Slate's board of directors.