Home / Business and Economy / Bezos-Backed Slate Auto Unveils $20K Customizable EV
Bezos-Backed Slate Auto Unveils $20K Customizable EV
12 Apr
Summary
- Slate Auto revealed a customizable electric pickup truck starting under $20,000.
- Jeff Bezos and Mark Walter are among the investors backing Slate Auto.
- Production is slated for late 2026, with over 150,000 reservations made.
Slate Auto, an electric vehicle startup, officially debuted in April 2025, revealing its ambitious plan to produce an ultra-low-cost, highly customizable electric pickup truck. Operating in secret for three years, the company secured significant backing from notable investors, including Jeff Bezos and Mark Walter.
The startup announced its base model would start at approximately $25,000, later adjusting to under $20,000 before the federal EV tax credit. This highly customizable truck, drawing on expertise from former automotive industry employees, is designed with a unique modular capability. Prototypes were spotted as early as April 2025, generating buzz before the official launch.
Slate Auto identified a former printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana, as the site for its manufacturing facility. By December 2025, the company had amassed over 150,000 refundable reservations, indicating strong consumer interest. The company's trajectory includes a CEO transition in March 2026, with Peter Faricy taking the helm to prepare for a commercial launch targeted for the end of 2026.
