Slate Auto, the electric vehicle startup backed by Jeff Bezos, has removed claims that its all-electric pickup truck will start at “under $20,000” following the passage of a tax bill expected to end the federal EV tax credit. The $7,500 incentive, which had been central to the company’s affordability promise, is set to expire in September under legislation awaiting President Donald Trump’s signature on July 4.
The startup had prominently advertised the sub-$20,000 price point when it launched in April, attributing the figure to a combination of its lean vehicle design and the existing federal tax credit. That language remained visible on Slate’s website as recently as July 3, according to archived versions of the site.
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However, the company has now scrubbed any mention of the price point. Slate has not disclosed the truck’s actual base price before credits, and a spokesperson for the company declined to comment on the change.
At the time of its launch, Slate executives emphasized their commitment to affordability in a segment dominated by rising prices. “The auto industry has driven prices to a place that most Americans simply can’t afford,” said Chief Commercial Officer Jeremy Snyder during the April event. “But we’re here to change that.”
“We are building the affordable vehicle that has long been promised but never been delivered,” added CEO Chris Barman.
See also: Slate Auto Eyes Former Indiana Printing Plant for Production of Low-Cost EV Truck
The truck is not expected to enter production until late 2026, and Slate has pitched it as a highly customizable platform. That approach means most buyers may end up configuring models well above the base specification. The rollback of the EV tax credit, however, raises questions about Slate’s ability to fulfill its original vision of radical affordability.