100K+ Reservations for Slate Truck already! (as of May 12, 2025)

[<3 Crank Windows]

Very impressive!! And goes to show the huge demand for a cheap EV truck.

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Buzzy new EV startup Slate Auto has racked up more than 100,000 reservations for its customizable low-cost electric pickup truck, the company has confirmed to TechCrunch.​

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Slate crossed the milestone over the weekend, just a little more than two weeks after coming out of stealth mode and unveiling the truck at an event in Los Angeles, California. The company has said the truck will start below $20,000 after applying the $7,500 federal EV tax credit and plans to build the vehicles at a former printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana, as TechCrunch first reported.​

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“We are truly humbled by America’s response to Slate’s brand launch and the launch of our truck,” Slate’s chief commercial officer Jeremy Snyder said in a statement to TechCrunch. “We are excited for what the future holds.”​

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Source - https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/12/slate-auto-crosses-100000-refundable-reservations-in-two-weeks/​

 

[slateya]

I have seen quite a few posts on social media with people talking about the older vehicles, they’re continuing to use, but sitting out the new car market for all the reasons that Chris listed in her launch speech.

This vehicle is bringing a lot of people off of the sidelines and ready to buy new. Hoping for the best for both the company and hopefully delivery on my early registration date.

 

[JeffVA]

Didn't they say they were only going to produce around 150k per year?

In another week or so they will have sold out the first year of production.

So glad I got my reservation in

 

[lgerger]

Very impressive!! And goes to show the huge demand for a cheap EV truck.

Not being cynical when I say this, truly...but the CyberTruck also boasted a ton of reservations and we saw how that went. Of course it's a totally different kind of EV, and the political environment and huge increase in cost all didn't help. I feel like Slate is far better positioned to translate more of the pre-reservations to deliveries.

 

[cvollers]

Didn't they say they were only going to produce around 150k per year?

In another week or so they will have sold out the first year of production.

So glad I got my reservation in

Jeff, I hope you're not getting whiplash.

 

[cvollers]

Not being cynical when I say this, truly...but the CyberTruck also boasted a ton of reservations and we saw how that went. Of course it's a totally different kind of EV, and the political environment and huge increase in cost all didn't help. I feel like Slate is far better positioned to translate more of the pre-reservations to deliveries.

I'm still trying to decide if the Cybertruck just wasn't one big PR stunt for Elon.

 

[JeffVA]

Not being cynical when I say this, truly...but the CyberTruck also boasted a ton of reservations and we saw how that went. Of course it's a totally different kind of EV, and the political environment and huge increase in cost all didn't help. I feel like Slate is far better positioned to translate more of the pre-reservations to deliveries.

Cybertruck was also at least 2 years behind schedule and people just gave up on it.

Elon also promised a starting price of about $40k and it was released (late) at over $60k.

Let's hope history doesn't repeat itself

 

[G19Tony]

As long as the tax credit stays in force, I'll be in.

 

[JeffVA]

Jeff, I hope you're not getting whiplash.

Never said I wasn't going to get one just frustrated that Slate, a forward thinking company, went completely backwards on their battery decision.

Also discovered at the same time how backwards we are as a country to allow China to advance light years ahead of us in this technology. Is protectionism a good thing or do the Big 3 need another 1970's style wake up call like the one Japan gave them? I think they're getting too complacent myself

 

[cvollers]

Never said I wasn't going to get one just frustrated that Slate, a forward thinking company, went completely backwards on their battery decision.

Also discovered at the same time how backwards we are as a country to allow China to advance light years ahead of us in this technology. Is protectionism a good thing or do the Big 3 need another 1970's style wake up call like the one Japan gave them? I think they're getting to complacent myself

It’s interesting. To me, Slate in a lot of ways is going backwards. Back to simpler vehicles not forward to more complex ones like the rest of the auto industry. It doesn’t surprise me at all that Slate might choose a different battery tech than where the industry is headed. Toyota is bucking the LFP trend as well and we know how stubborn that company is when it comes to new technology. I hope Slate’s battery does its job and lasts 8-10 years. That’s good enough for me.

 

[JeffVA]

I hope Slate’s battery does its job and lasts 8-10 years. That’s good enough for me.

There lies the problem. It WILL last 8-10 years but probably not much more for the average driver. Mine mathematically should last me 38+ years because I will probably only charge it, the large battery, once a week if that because I only use my truck about 4k miles per year. But for the average driver, that's not the case.

Slate set a high expectation on their debut because this truck is revolutionary. They even compared it to the "Model T". I would even say the VW bug. Those were revolutionary!

They touted how the 2nd and 3rd owners could still customize it and make it their own as well. That's not the case unless Slate thinks people sell their vehicles about every 3 years because in reality there will be no 3rd owner. If Slate figured out how to overcome barriers and go with an LFP battery this truck could have lasted for generations and would have had the same impact as the Model T or VW Beetle. Instead they chose "Easy" and made this a disposable truck. The only things that make this desirable now are price and size, and price again.

Have you seen that YouTube video of that guy strapping Dynamite to his 10 year old Tesla and blowing it up in a quarry because a new battery cost more than his Tesla was worth?

 

[cvollers]

There lies the problem. It WILL last 8-10 years but probably not much more for the average driver. Mine mathematically should last me 38+ years because I will probably only charge it, the large battery, once a week if that because I only use my truck about 4k miles per year. But for the average driver, that's not the case.

Slate set a high expectation on their debut because this truck is revolutionary. They even compared it to the "Model T". I would even say the VW bug. Those were revolutionary!

They touted how the 2nd and 3rd owners could still customize it and make it their own as well. That's not the case unless Slate thinks people sell their vehicles about every 3 years because in reality there will be no 3rd owner. If Slate figured out how to overcome barriers and go with an LFP battery this truck could have lasted for generations and would have had the same impact as the Model T or VW Beetle. Instead they chose "Easy" and made this a disposable truck. The only things that make this desirable now are price and size, and price again.

Have you seen that YouTube video of that guy strapping Dynamite to his 10 year old Tesla and blowing it up in a quarry because a new battery cost more than his Tesla was worth?

See my comments in the other thread about expected Slate battery life.

 

[JustWideman]

Not being cynical when I say this, truly...but the CyberTruck also boasted a ton of reservations and we saw how that went. Of course it's a totally different kind of EV, and the political environment and huge increase in cost all didn't help. I feel like Slate is far better positioned to translate more of the pre-reservations to deliveries.

Fisker Ocean had lots of reservations too, but eventually had 40k cancellations and only delivered 4,700 units before going bankrupt.

 

[lgerger]

I'm still trying to decide if the Cybertruck just wasn't one big PR stunt for Elon.

It does feel like a giant troll

 

[GreatLakes]

There lies the problem. It WILL last 8-10 years but probably not much more for the average driver. Mine mathematically should last me 38+ years because I will probably only charge it, the large battery, once a week if that because I only use my truck about 4k miles per year. But for the average driver, that's not the case.

I would suggest giving them some time, let them finalize the specs, costs, warranty, etc.
(Many EVs have an 8 year warranty on the battery - isn't that a California regulation?) Their FAQ says 10 to 20 years lifetime.

Not sure why you would pay for the big battery? 4K miles a year is about 77 miles/week. Unless you do a long trip every month? With the DC Fast charging, what's the big deal with stopping a few times to recharge? Or take back roads and maybe get 300 miles on the small battery at 40MPH?

Leafs seem to be the ideal of upgrading batteries. I think you can take the original release Leaf (75 mile range) and upgrade at least to 150 miles range (maybe 225?). This weeks GM Ultium press release says they expect $75 per kWh next year. And 20% more range in the same size pack.

Hopefully Slate will get into battery upgrades. As a DIY company it should be right up their alley.
So what if there is a 105kWh extended pack available in 3 years, for less than the current one costs?

And how degraded do you think these 10 year old Slate packs will be? If they still hold a 20 or 30kW charge, perfect for moving into a home's solar setup.