Slate Auto to Reveal EV Pricing and Open Preorders on June 24

Slate Auto, the electric vehicle startup backed by Jeff Bezos and Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter, is preparing to reveal pricing details and begin accepting non-refundable preorders for its low-cost EV on June 24, ahead of the first customer deliveries expected later this year.

The company recently sent emails to prospective buyers encouraging them to place a $50 reservation before preorders officially open. According to the email, customers who reserve early will receive a priority delivery window ahead of buyers who wait until the general preorder launch. Once preorders begin, the required deposit will increase to $300.

Slate had previously stated that pricing information would be announced in June. An FAQ section on the company’s preorder page now confirms that full pricing details will be unveiled on June 24. The company has not yet provided additional comments regarding the announcement.

The startup, which emerged from stealth in April 2025, attracted attention with plans to build a simple, affordable, and highly customizable electric vehicle. Slate originally suggested that the base version of its EV could cost less than $20,000 after applying the federal EV tax credit. However, after the $7,500 incentive was eliminated, the company revised its guidance and has since said the vehicle will start in the mid-$20,000 range.

One of Slate’s key selling points is flexibility. The base model is designed as a two-seat pickup truck that can later be converted into a five-seat SUV through additional upgrades. Combined with its minimalist design, including features such as hand-crank windows and a no-frills interior, the concept has generated considerable consumer interest.

According to the company, more than 160,000 potential customers have already placed refundable $50 reservations since the vehicle was first revealed. Still, as many EV startups have discovered, turning reservations into actual purchases remains a significant challenge.

To help guide the company through its next phase, Slate appointed former Amazon Marketplace executive Peter Faricy as CEO earlier this year. The startup has also raised substantial funding, including a $650 million Series C round announced in April, bringing its total funding to roughly $1.4 billion.

Much of that financial backing is believed to come from Mark Walter’s investment firm, TWG Global. While Bezos participated in the company’s early funding efforts, the extent of his involvement in more recent rounds remains unclear.

With pricing and preorders set to launch on June 24, Slate will soon provide a clearer picture of how it plans to compete in the growing market for affordable electric vehicles.