Slate crosses 150,000 reservations despite waning EV truck enthusiasm

Slate Auto, the electric truck startup supported by Jeff Bezos, has proudly announced it has secured over 150,000 refundable reservations for its affordable electric vehicle, set to launch at the end of 2026. This milestone was revealed in a recent Q&A video featuring CEO Chris Barman, who addressed various queries from reservation holders, including the company’s approach to self-driving technology (non-existent for now) and the compatibility of car seats with optional rear seating (confirmed). While reservation figures provide a glimpse into consumer interest, they do not guarantee future success. Historically, many electric vehicle companies have touted high reservation numbers only to falter due to production challenges or an inability to deliver vehicles. For Slate, the continuous increase in reservations suggests a positive trend, with new sign-ups outpacing cancellations. However, it took seven months to add an additional 50,000 reservations since hitting the 100,000 mark in May, shortly after emerging from stealth mode. Looking ahead, Slate aims to produce 150,000 electric trucks annually at its refurbished factory in Warsaw, Indiana. To achieve market success, the company will need to attract many more buyers. The ongoing interest in Slate’s electric truck is particularly encouraging, especially in light of recent developments in the electric truck sector. Just yesterday, Ford announced it would cease production of the all-electric F-150 Lightning, the first major electric pickup truck in the U.S. market, due to profitability issues. The Lightning will be replaced by a model featuring a gas generator, as Ford struggled to sell more than a few thousand units each quarter. Other electric trucks, such as Tesla’s Cybertruck and General Motors’ Silverado EV, have also faced challenges in maintaining sales momentum. Unlike the Lightning, which was built on a gas-powered design, Slate’s truck is engineered from the ground up as an electric vehicle, with a target price in the mid-$20,000 range. The decline in offerings from established players like Ford may pave the way for Slate to carve out a successful niche, although competition will intensify when Ford launches its own budget electric vehicle in 2027.