A prototype of a new budget electric pickup being developed by stealthy Michigan-based startup Slate Auto has been caught on camera in California, offering the first glimpse of a vehicle that could shake up the electric pickup market in the US.

The image, originally posted to Reddit by user u/discostranger09, shows a compact, two-seat truck finished in dark grey and perched on a flatbed outside what’s believed to be Slate Auto’s design studio in Long Beach, Los Angeles. The vehicle appears to be a concept version built for internal use or to showcase to investors, including high-profile backers linked to Amazon and Major League Baseball.

According to a recent investigation by TechCrunch, a technology publication focused on startups and innovation, Slate Auto is working towards launching an affordable all-electric pickup with a starting price of around $25,000 (£19,100) — a bold departure from the premium-first strategies of Tesla, Rivian, and others in the EV space. While most new entrants prioritise high-margin luxury vehicles, Slate’s approach is to create an entry-level pickup that could serve as a first car for budget-conscious buyers or a working truck for tradies.

Simple, functional styling

The captured prototype features clean, no-nonsense styling with blacked-out wheels, upright proportions, and squared-off bodywork, giving a faint nod to the Ford Bronco Sport. Some observers have also noted similarities to a scaled-down, simplified version of the Rivian R1T, which might not be a coincidence: Slate’s head of exterior design previously spent time at Rivian.

Production plans for 2026?

While production details are still under wraps, Slate is apparently targeting a late 2026 launch at a facility near Indianapolis, Indiana, and is aggressively hiring talent from the likes of Ford, Stellantis, Harley-Davidson, and Amazon.

TechCrunch reports that the company is led by former Chrysler executive Christine Barman, with further firepower from Rodney Copes (ex-Harley-Davidson, ex-Rivian) as executive chairperson. It’s backed by a mix of deep-pocketed investors, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ family office, Mark Walter (owner of the LA Dodgers), and Thomas Tull, all of whom are believed to have participated in funding rounds valuing the company at over $1 billion (£765 million).

What’s next for the Slate Auto pickup?

Whether Slate Auto can deliver on the promise of a $25k EV pickup remains to be seen — the Tesla Cybertruck, for example, was initially announced with a $40,000 (£31,000) entry-level price, but that had climbed to $69,900 (£53,400) by the time orders opened. At this stage, it appears unlikely that Slate Auto’s electric pickup will be offered in the UK, with the company firmly focused on the US market.

Still, with a physical prototype now spotted in the wild and serious investment behind the scenes, this once-secret startup is no longer just a rumour.

Phil Huff
Latest posts by Phil Huff (see all)
Published on