Slate Auto Sets June 24 for Pricing Reveal and Preorder Launch of Its Affordable EV

Slate Auto Prepares for a Major Milestone on June 24

Slate Auto, the electric vehicle startup backed by billionaire Jeff Bezos and Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter, is set to make a significant announcement on June 24. On that date, the company will publicly reveal the final pricing for its highly anticipated low-cost EV and begin accepting non-refundable preorders, as it pushes toward delivering its first vehicles before the close of 2025.

Early Reservation Holders Get a Head Start

Ahead of the official preorder launch, Slate Auto reached out to prospective buyers via email this past Thursday, encouraging them to lock in a $50 refundable reservation now. Those who reserve early will reportedly receive a preferred delivery window compared to customers who wait until preorders officially open next month. Once preorders go live, the commitment rises to a non-refundable $300 deposit — a meaningful step up that signals the company is moving from hype to hard sales.

Details from an FAQ section on the newly activated preorder page confirm the June 24 pricing announcement, though the company has not officially commented on the matter.

From Stealth Startup to Center Stage

Slate Auto operated largely in secret for nearly four years before emerging from stealth mode in April 2025, after early reporting exposed its plans to develop an affordable, stripped-down, and highly customizable electric vehicle. The concept quickly captured public attention: a no-frills EV featuring hand-crank windows and an unpainted exterior that can transform from a two-seat pickup truck into a five-seat SUV through an optional upgrade.

Initially, the company promoted a starting price of under $20,000, made possible in part by a $7,500 federal tax credit. However, that credit was eliminated by the Trump administration and Congress late last year, forcing Slate to recalibrate its messaging. The company now indicates its base model will start somewhere in the mid-$20,000 range, though exact figures have been withheld until the upcoming announcement.

Strong Consumer Interest, But the Hard Work Begins Now

Despite the pricing uncertainty, consumer enthusiasm for Slate's EV has been remarkably strong. Since unveiling the vehicle, the startup has collected more than 160,000 refundable $50 reservations — a number that reflects genuine curiosity and excitement around the product's value proposition.

That said, the electric vehicle industry has repeatedly demonstrated that reservation numbers don't always translate into actual sales. Converting interest into committed buyers remains one of the steepest challenges any EV startup faces.

New Leadership to Drive Execution

To strengthen its ability to execute on this front, Slate brought in new leadership earlier this year. In March, the company appointed Peter Faricy — a former vice president at Amazon Marketplace — as its new CEO. His appointment is part of a broader trend within Slate, where many key leadership roles have been filled by alumni of Amazon.

Substantial Funding Backs the Road Ahead

Building and shipping an electric vehicle at scale requires enormous capital, and Slate has secured serious financial backing to support that effort. In April, the company announced the successful close of a $650 million Series C funding round, bringing its total capital raised to approximately $1.4 billion.

A significant portion of that funding appears to have originated from TWG Global, the financial firm led by co-backer Mark Walter. Jeff Bezos was involved in the company's earliest funding stages, though the extent of his participation in later rounds has remained unclear. Adding to that ambiguity, it was recently reported that his family office manager resigned from her seat on Slate's board of directors in May.

What to Watch For on June 24

With pricing finally set to be disclosed and preorders opening to the public, June 24 represents a pivotal moment for Slate Auto. The company must now turn its considerable buzz and reservation list into real revenue — a test that has humbled many EV startups before it. Whether Slate's combination of affordability, quirky appeal, strong funding, and seasoned leadership will be enough to succeed where others have stumbled remains to be seen.