Slate Auto drops “under $20,000” pricing after Trump administration ends federal EV tax credit

Slate Auto, an electric vehicle startup backed by Jeff Bezos, has ceased promoting its upcoming all-electric pickup truck as starting "under $20,000" following the anticipated end of the federal EV tax credit. The Trump administration’s recent tax cut bill, expected to be signed on July 4, 2025, will terminate the $7,500 federal EV tax credit by September. Slate had previously factored this credit into its pricing to achieve the sub-$20,000 mark, a key selling point emphasized when the company emerged from stealth mode in April. The removal of this pricing claim marks a setback for Slate’s goal of delivering a radically affordable electric vehicle. The company has not disclosed the truck’s exact starting price without the credit and will not begin production until late 2026 at the earliest. Slate’s business model also focuses on highly customizable vehicles, suggesting that many buyers may opt for upgraded versions rather than the base model. Slate’s leadership had positioned the sub-$20,000 price as