Slate Auto: The Definitive Guide to the Bezos-Supported EV Startup
In April 2025, a newcomer named Slate Auto burst onto the automotive scene, creating a buzz in the industry. This forward-thinking startup, supported by Jeff Bezos, aims to produce an ultra-affordable, customizable electric pickup truck after spending three years quietly operating in Troy, Michigan, a key center for automotive giants like Ford and General Motors.
TechCrunch unveiled the company’s existence in early April, shedding light on its connection to the Amazon founder and its intriguing business approach. As Slate prepared for its official debut later in the month, prototypes of its truck were spotted throughout California, generating excitement.
Slate distinguishes itself in the U.S. EV market, which has seen numerous bankruptcies, unsuccessful product launches, and shifting strategies. Although the startup’s current backers, leadership team, initial product, and business model suggest a promising path, it faces potential hurdles in its pursuit of commencing production by late 2026.
Below is a timeline encapsulating key information about Slate Auto, ranging from its founding and investors to its products, business strategy, and projections for production.
Inside the EV startup secretly backed by Jeff Bezos
April 8 – After an extensive year-long investigation, TechCrunch disclosed the low-key EV startup Slate Auto, which had been operational for three years with investments from Jeff Bezos and LA Dodgers owner Mark Walter.
Unlike other electric vehicle startups, Slate has concentrated on developing a very low-cost electric pickup truck, targeted at a price point around $25,000. This vehicle promises extensive customization, leveraging the expertise of several former employees from Harley-Davidson and Chrysler, known for their vast accessory and aftermarket parts markets.
Slate Auto’s pickup truck spotted in the wild
April 10 – The day following TechCrunch’s announcement, an image of an unmarked electric truck began making rounds on the r/whatisthiscar subreddit, with users speculating it might belong to Slate.
TechCrunch later confirmed that the image showed a prototype of Slate’s truck, parked outside its design center in Long Beach, California.
An EV that can change like a ‘Transformer’
April 21 – Slate began showcasing concept models of its EV publicly to build excitement ahead of its launch event on April 24. Notably, some prototypes were styled as SUVs or hatchbacks, rather than just pickups.
TechCrunch confirmed that the company designed the EV with “Transformer-like” modular capabilities, using this strategy to tease its customization features.
The analog EV pickup truck that is decidedly anti-Tesla
April 24 – Slate hosted its launch event in Long Beach, California, revealing its customizable electric pickup truck. The company announced the truck would be priced below $20,000, considering the $7,500 federal EV tax credit.
The base model was introduced as quite basic, offering only 150 miles of range, lack of power windows, absence of a main infotainment screen, and no paint. Slate emphasized that nearly every aspect of the truck would be customizable, from the number of seats to its overall design.
A former Indiana printing plant eyed for EV truck production
April 25 – TechCrunch reported that Slate had identified a former printing facility in Warsaw, Indiana, as the location for its truck production. This sprawling 1.4 million-square-foot plant, built in 1958, had been unused for about two years.
Slate Auto crosses 100,000 refundable reservations in two weeks
May 12 – Slate informed TechCrunch that it had surpassed 100,000 refundable reservations at $50 each for its budget-friendly EV truck. This milestone signified strong interest in the company’s concepts, especially given that Slate was relatively unknown just two months prior.
Slate Auto drops ‘under $20,000’ pricing after Trump administration ends federal EV tax credit
July 3 – The Trump administration passed a major tax-cut bill with a September expiration for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. Consequently, Slate’s truck would lose this financial support, making it unfeasible to uphold the “under $20,000” starting price previously advertised. Consequently, Slate changed its website even before the bill was officially signed.
Why this LA-based VC firm was an early investor in Slate Auto
July 8 – Slate’s 2023 funding round featured at least 16 investors, including Bezos. While many investors remain undisclosed, Los Angeles-based Slauson & Co. provided insights to TechCrunch regarding their decision to invest in the EV startup during its initial funding phase and Slate’s Series B.
