TL;DR
- Slate Auto, backed by Jeff Bezos, is no longer advertising its EV truck as “under $20,000.”
- The price retraction follows the Trump administration’s move to eliminate the $7,500 federal EV tax credit.
- Slate had heavily leaned on the tax credit to meet its affordability claims.
- Production of the truck is scheduled to begin in late 2026.
- Final pricing details remain undisclosed by the company.
EV Pricing Strategy Upended by Trump’s Tax Bill
Slate Auto, the ambitious EV startup backed by Jeff Bezos, has walked back a key selling point for its debut vehicle — a base price “under $20,000.” The change comes just days after Congress passed a new tax bill that eliminates the $7,500 federal electric vehicle tax credit.
The bill, part of President Trump’s broader 2025 tax reform agenda, is expected to be signed into law on July 4, with the EV credit expiring by September 2025. Slate had relied heavily on the subsidy to promote its pickup truck’s affordability, particularly during its April 2025 launch event.
“We are building the affordable vehicle that has long been promised but never been delivered,” CEO Chris Barman declared at the event.
What Changed on Slate’s Site
Up until July 2, Slate’s website explicitly promoted the sub-$20,000 starting price — with the EV credit factored in. But that line has now disappeared. According to the Wayback Machine, the claim was visible as recently as this week.
A spokesperson for Slate Auto declined to comment on the price removal or disclose the actual starting price without the credit.
Production Timeline and Customization Strategy
Slate’s production timeline remains long. The company does not plan to start manufacturing its electric truck until late 2026, meaning the loss of the tax credit could reshape both pricing and early demand dynamics.
Adding further complexity, the startup is pursuing a highly modular vehicle design, enabling consumers to customize everything from drive systems to cabin features. While this could improve margins, it also implies that few customers are likely to order a barebones base model — making the original $20,000 claim more symbolic than practical.
“The auto industry has driven prices to a place that most Americans simply can’t afford,” said Jeremy Snyder, Slate’s chief commercial officer. “But we’re here to change that.”
Impact of Federal EV Tax Credit Repeal
| Category | Previous Scenario | New Scenario (Post-Bill) |
| Slate advertised base price | “Under $20,000” (with $7,500 tax credit) | Pricing removed; base price undisclosed |
| Federal EV tax credit | $7,500 off eligible electric vehicles | Ends September 2025 under Trump tax bill |
| Production start date | Late 2026 | Unchanged |
| Customization model | Highly modular pickup truck | May limit volume of base model sales |
| Trump tax legislation status | Passed both chambers, pending presidential sign-off | Expected to be signed July 4, 2025 |
| Affected startups | Slate Auto, Canoo, Rivian | Most U.S. EV startups reliant on consumer affordability |
| Web archive record | Wayback Machine – July 2 | Current homepage excludes prior pricing language |
TechCrunch, Reuters, Wayback Machine
Strategic Setback for Affordable EVs
The discontinuation of the EV credit marks a major shift in the U.S. electric vehicle landscape. Companies like Slate that are targeting the mass-market EV segment now face new headwinds in pricing, positioning, and customer adoption.
The $7,500 tax credit has historically helped lower-income buyers access EVs and created competitive advantages for new market entrants. Without it, startups may be forced to revisit both pricing and production strategies — particularly if they’re competing against legacy automakers with scale advantages.
