Slate Auto Adjusts Pricing Strategy After EV Tax Credit Ends
Slate Auto, the electric vehicle startup backed by Jeff Bezos, has quietly removed its earlier claim that its upcoming all-electric pickup truck would start at “under $20,000.” This change follows the Trump administration’s decision to phase out the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, which was a key factor in the company’s aggressive pricing strategy.
When Slate Auto emerged from stealth mode in April, it heavily promoted the sub-$20,000 price point, factoring in the federal incentive. However, with the tax credit set to expire in September, the company has updated its website, removing references to the original pricing. “We are building the affordable vehicle that has long been promised but never been delivered,” CEO Chris Barman had stated during the launch event. Now, without the credit, the actual starting price remains unclear.
The loss of the tax credit could pose a challenge for Slate Auto, which aimed to disrupt the market with a radically affordable EV. The company has yet to disclose the revised base price, and production isn’t expected to begin until late 2026. Additionally, Slate’s business model emphasizes high customizability, meaning the base model may not be the most popular choice among buyers.
“The auto industry has driven prices to a place that most Americans simply can’t afford,” said Jeremy Snyder, Slate’s chief commercial officer. The company’s mission to deliver an accessible EV now faces a new hurdle as it navigates pricing adjustments in a post-incentive landscape.
