Slate Struggles to Set Final Price for Affordable EV Pickup

The budget-friendly electric truck may lose some appeal if the starting price rises above $30,000.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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Slate Auto, the brand behind a proposed budget-friendly electric pickup truck, has been quiet on the final pricing for its upcoming Blank Slate model. With the elimination of federal EV tax credits, a sub-$20,000 list price is no longer feasible, and Slate CEO Chris Barman has indicated the company is still working to bring costs down and determine the best price point for customers.

Why it matters

Slate's Blank Slate model was initially pitched as an affordable, no-frills electric truck option, but a starting price closer to $30,000 could make it less appealing compared to similarly priced gas-powered vehicles with more standard features. The brand's ability to maintain a relatively low price point will be crucial to the Blank Slate's success in the market.

The details

The Blank Slate is designed to be a spartan affair, with a single-cab, five-foot bed, rear-wheel drive, and a single electric motor producing around 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. It will be available with either a 52.7 kWh battery pack for around 150 miles of range or an 84.3 kWh pack. The truck will feature manual windows, no radio, and even lack exterior paint, with Slate offering a range of optional add-ons for customers.

  • Slate Auto launched the Blank Slate in April 2025.
  • Slate CEO Chris Barman discussed the pricing challenges at the recent BloombergNEF Summit in San Francisco.

The players

Slate Auto

The brand behind the proposed budget-friendly electric pickup truck, the Blank Slate.

Chris Barman

The CEO of Slate Auto.

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What they’re saying

“We're still having discussions on that. We're still working really closely with our suppliers to see what opportunities we have to continue to bring costs down, to see what we can do to pass along to the customer before we announce final pricing.”

— Chris Barman, CEO, Slate Auto (InsideEVs)

What’s next

Slate is reportedly still pursuing a base price in the 'mid-twenties' for the Blank Slate, despite the loss of the federal EV tax credits. The company will need to finalize the pricing and feature set to determine if the no-frills electric truck can still appeal to buyers compared to similarly priced gas-powered vehicles.

The takeaway

Slate's ability to maintain an affordable price point for the Blank Slate will be crucial to the model's success. A starting price closer to $30,000 could make the lack of standard features harder to justify for some buyers, potentially undermining the truck's appeal as a budget-friendly electric option.