Slate Auto is developing the cheapest new electric pickup truck on the market. It’s also set to beat the Ford Maverick for the position of cheapest truck and the Nissan Leaf for the title of cheapest EV of 2026.
Slate Auto’s new pickup truck is innovative and different than most new vehicles from major automakers in many ways. Here’s how it compares to the cheapest pickup trucks of 2026.
How Does Slate Truck Compare to the Cheapest Trucks of 2026?
The Ford Maverick ($26,771) is the most affordable new pickup truck model you can buy in 2026 until Slate’s EV hits the streets. It’s followed by the Hyundai Santa Cruz ($29,750), another small truck model. Ford’s Maverick is a standard hybrid and the Santa Cruz is a gas-powered model.
The new Slate Truck will start at $24,950, making it the only new pickup truck model in 2026 with a price under $25,000. It also happens to be a fully-electric model, which is another huge distinction. EVs tend to be more expensive than their gas and hybrid counterparts because of their unique designs. Nissan’s Leaf ($29,990) will be the second-most affordable new electric vehicle when the pickup arrives.
The Slate Truck is significantly smaller than the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz. Ford’s tiny truck model is 199.8 inches long. Hyundai’s Santa Cruz is just 195.7 inches long. Slate’s Truck is the smallest of the trio at 174.6 inches long.
Slate Auto’s truck is a two-seater, but buyers can customize the EV for an additional fee to make it suitable for five as an SUV. Its small body and simplistic, no-frills design help keep production costs low, allowing the automaker to produce such an affordable vehicle.
Slate Truck Specs and Performance
The Slate Truck uses a 150-kilowatt single rear-mounted motor to produce 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, which is adequate for its size. The standard battery allows for 205 miles of driving range.
This isn’t much range by today’s standards, but a smaller, less powerful standard battery is another factor in the EV’s attractive pricing. Additionally, drivers willing to develop a regular charging regimen can easily work around the base model’s low driving range.
Slate’s small truck model is compatible with North American Charging Standard (NACS) chargers for DC fast charging. The EV is capable of recharging from 20% of its total battery capacity to 80% in roughly 30 minutes using Level 3 DC fast chargers. It isn’t the most powerful EV and it doesn’t have mind-blowing driving range, but its value proposition is strong for its price and specs.
Should You Get a Slate Truck in 2026?
The Slate Truck is an interesting model because of its pricing and powertrain, but it still has plenty to prove to the average American driver before becoming ubiquitous. Slate Auto was founded in 2022 and is backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and LA Dodgers owner Mark Walter.
If Slate’s cheap electric truck is rolled out without any hiccups and proves to be reliable, it has the potential to be a fierce competitor.
How to Preorder a Slate Truck
You can preorder a Slate Truck for $300. If you already paid the $50 reservation fee for the innovative new pickup, you only need to pay an additional $250 to complete the preorder process. It’s being manufactured in Warsaw, Indiana.
Deliveries are expected to arrive in late 2026. Slate’s new vehicle will disrupt affordable vehicle price rankings, but will the EV truly make an impact, or is it too novel for average American drivers to trust?
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