Overview
- This week Slate published a $24,950 base MSRP and a $29,950 convertible SUV price and began taking preorders with a roughly $300 nonrefundable deposit.
- Slate’s launch catalog lists more than 200 accessories and conversion kits and one outlet’s accessory-heavy build reached about $41,284 in total price.
- The startup’s original under-$20,000 claim depended on a now‑expired $7,500 federal tax credit, so only a small number of income‑qualified buyers in a few states can still reach the teens after state rebates.
- Slate says it has raised roughly $1.4 billion and amassed substantial reservations, plans limited deliveries late 2026 and a production ramp in 2027, and faces risks in converting reservations, scaling manufacturing, and supporting owner-led conversions and service.
- The company’s direct‑to‑consumer, minimalist approach sells a stripped two‑seat truck and monetizes modular upgrades and DIY installs through a marketplace and training platform, which lowers upfront engineering but raises questions about long‑term customer acceptance and rebate eligibility.