Slate Auto Pulls $20K EV Promise as U.S. Tax Credit Ends

Slate Auto, the electric vehicle startup backed by Jeff Bezos, has quietly withdrawn its promise of a sub-$20,000 electric pickup truck amid a major federal policy shift. The move follows the passage of President Trump’s new tax legislation, which eliminates the $7,500 federal EV tax credit beginning September 2025.

The EV tax incentive had been a cornerstone of Slate Auto’s pricing strategy. When the company exited stealth mode in April, it widely marketed that its upcoming electric pickup would launch at a base price “under $20,000”—a figure that only made sense when factoring in the now-defunct tax credit.

As recently as early July, archived versions of the company’s website still carried the sub-$20,000 claim. However, following the bill’s passage, the promotional language has been removed, and Slate has yet to confirm the new entry-level pricing of its vehicle. A company spokesperson declined to comment on the shift or provide updated figures.

The development poses a significant challenge for the startup, whose early brand messaging was built around affordability and accessibility. “We are building the affordable vehicle that has long been promised but never been delivered,” CEO Chris Barman stated at the April launch event. The company’s Chief Commercial Officer, Jeremy Snyder, also emphasized their intent to disrupt an auto market that has “driven prices to a place that most Americans simply can’t afford.”

Production of the electric pickup is not expected to begin until late 2026 at the earliest. Furthermore, Slate Auto’s strategy involves a high degree of vehicle customization, which may limit the number of customers opting for the base model in any case.

The removal of the federal tax credit could have broader implications across the EV industry, especially for new entrants who rely on incentives to make pricing competitive with traditional vehicles. As market dynamics shift, consumer perception, production costs, and regulatory environments will continue to influence how “affordable” electric vehicles really are.

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