Slate Auto, the Indiana-based EV startup backed by Jeff Bezos, has quietly dropped its widely promoted sub-$20,000 electric pickup price tag. The cause? The anticipated signing of Donald Trump’s so-called “Big, beautiful bill,” which will terminate federal EV tax credits as of September 30th.
The ultra-affordable price — achieved only after applying the $7,500 federal tax incentive — was a major hook for Slate’s minimalist, paint-free, screenless electric truck. Now, the company’s website lists a more sobering estimate: “mid-twenties.”
Reality Catches Up with the Asterisk
While Slate never promised the $19,900 price outright, the figure was always presented with an asterisk and fine print citing the temporary nature of federal incentives. That asterisk just became real.
According to TechCrunch, the $20K promotion vanished from Slate’s website as recently as yesterday, as the political landscape shifted. With Trump poised to officially end EV credits, the entry-level pricing model collapses, potentially altering Slate’s market positioning ahead of its 2026 delivery window.
A Step Back for U.S. EV Ambitions
Critics argue that the bill’s repeal of tax credits — which helped level the playing field for new American EV startups — plays straight into the hands of China’s clean tech dominance. While Trump continues to campaign on dismantling Biden’s “EV mandates,” global momentum is tilting toward electrification.
In cutting support for EVs, the U.S. risks locking itself into fossil-fueled nostalgia, while China races ahead with innovation in batteries, solar, and electric mobility.
Key Takeaway: Slate Auto’s price hike isn’t just about a pickup truck — it’s a symptom of a broader policy pivot that may slow down America’s transition to electric and cede future leadership to global competitors.
