Slate Auto, an electric pickup startup backed by Jeff Bezos, said it has collected more than 150,000 refundable reservations for its low-cost electric truck, which is scheduled to enter production toward the end of 2026.
The company disclosed the figure in a recent question-and-answer video featuring chief executive Chris Barman, who addressed questions from reservation holders about vehicle features and development plans. Slate has previously said it does not intend to offer self-driving capabilities for the model.
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While reservation numbers can signal consumer interest, they do not guarantee eventual sales or commercial success. Several EV startups in recent years have reported strong reservation backlogs but later struggled to bring vehicles to market or sustain production. Slate surpassed 100,000 reservations in May shortly after emerging from stealth, meaning it took roughly seven months to add another 50,000. The company has said it plans to produce about 150,000 vehicles annually at a factory it is refurbishing in Warsaw, Indiana, suggesting it will need to continue expanding demand to support its production targets.
The outlook for Slate’s pricing has also shifted. The startup has long promoted a headline starting price below $20,000, but the removal of the federal EV tax credit has altered that calculation. Industry estimates cited by Cars Direct suggest the truck could now start closer to $27,500 in the United States. Based on that estimate, a standard 36-month lease with no money down could cost around $468 per month, rising to nearly $500 once fees and initial payments are included.
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Slate’s progress comes amid broader challenges in the electric pickup segment.Ford recently announced it is preparing a next-generation version of the F-150 Lightning that will feature an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain, reflecting a wider industry move toward hybridized electric solutions as manufacturers seek to balance range, cost and profitability.. Slate is positioning its vehicle as a purpose-built electric pickup, rather than an electrified version of a gasoline model, and has said it remains focused on affordability relative to existing competitors.
The company has taken steps to prepare for market entry. In October 2025, Slate said its truck would adopt the North American Charging Standard, providing access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, and announced a nationwide service partnership with RepairPal to support customers once deliveries begin.