Under 20,000 Euros, This Electric Car Is a Hit!

The $20,000 electric pick-up from Slate, convertible into an SUV, has reached 100,000 reservations!

The young American startup Slate Auto is making waves in the electric vehicle market, just weeks after unveiling its first model, a minimalist modular electric pick-up. Named “Blank Slate“, this innovative vehicle has already garnered 100,000 reservations, a remarkable success for a company that recently emerged from obscurity. Knowing that Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, is among the company’s shareholders, it’s clear that this is neither a scam, a flash in the pan, nor mere coincidence.

It was on April 24th that Slate officially revealed its project. Prior to that, little information was available, fueling rumors and speculation. It was known that the company was based in Michigan and was working on an electric vehicle model, but nothing was confirmed. At its launch, the “Blank Slate” proved to be a streamlined electric pick-up, equipped with over 100 accessory options and a conversion kit into a five-seater SUV. Its price, announced to be under $20,000 including subsidies, immediately drew attention.

Reservations opened with a very reasonable deposit of $50, and in just 18 days, Slate reached the milestone of 100,000 reservations!

Electric should, and can, be affordable

This success demonstrates consumers’ appetite for simple, affordable, and modular electric vehicles. The Slate concept, which focuses on customization rather than excessive sophistication, seems to meet this demand. However, as one internet user pointed out, low-cost reservations do not guarantee actual sales.

The Tesla Cybertruck story remains a telling example. Despite over a million reservations announced, delays, prices significantly higher than initially promised, and disappointed expectations led to a massive cancellation rate. To date, Tesla is estimated to have sold fewer than 50,000 Cybertrucks, accumulating large unsold stocks.

For Slate, the approach focused on accessibility and simplicity could make a real difference, especially if the company manages to keep its promise of a price around $20,000. The first deliveries are expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.

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