The cheapest electric truck in America costs $24,950. It comes with crank windows, no touchscreen, and a single gray plastic color. That’s the Slate Truck, and it’s about to force a real conversation about what “cheap” actually means when you’re cross-shopping it against a Chevy Bolt or a Ford Maverick.
All three vehicles are chasing the same buyer. That’s someone who wants a new set of keys without a $45,000 loan. But they solve that problem in wildly different ways, and only one of them makes sense for most people right now.
What exactly is the Slate Truck, and is it really $24,950?
The Slate Truck is a bare-bones, two-seat electric pickup from a Bezos-backed startup. Yes, $24,950 is the real base price. But that’s before fees, and the realistic out-the-door number lands closer to $27,000.
Slate confirmed the price when preorders opened. Along with it came some genuinely good news: the base model’s range jumped from 150 to 205 miles on its 65-kWh battery. The catch is everything else. There’s no infotainment screen, no power windows, no paint. It’s just an unpainted gray plastic body you’re meant to wrap or accessorize yourself. It’s a single-cab, two-seat truck with one rear-wheel-drive motor. Deliveries aren’t expected until the fourth quarter of 2026.
There’s also no federal tax credit to soften the blow anymore. That $7,500 EV incentive got eliminated as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. If you were banking on Slate’s original “under $20,000” pitch, that math no longer works. Check our breakdown of which EVs still make sense without incentives before you get attached to a number.
How does the Chevy Bolt compare on price and range?
The reborn 2027 Chevy Bolt starts at $29,990 for its launch model. A cheaper $28,995 base LT trim arrives a few months into the model year. That’s a few thousand more than the Slate, but you get a real interior, four doors, and dramatically more range.
Chevy says the Bolt offers 255 miles of range, more than any EV under $30,000. It also has a NACS charging port that plugs straight into Tesla Superchargers. It’ll fast-charge to 80% in about 26 minutes and even supports vehicle-to-home power backup. It’s not a truck, obviously — it’s a hatchback. But for buyers cross-shopping the Slate purely as “cheapest new EV,” the Bolt is the more finished, more practical answer. If you want the full picture on how EV ownership costs shake out over time, our EV total cost of ownership guide is worth a read before you commit either way.
Is the Ford Maverick still the smarter buy if you actually need a truck?
Yes. If towing, hauling, or long road trips matter to you, the Maverick beats both EVs without much argument. It starts at $28,145 with destination for the standard hybrid. It gets an EPA-estimated 42 mpg city, and comes as a proper four-door crew cab with a real bed and no range anxiety.
The Maverick can’t match the Slate’s rock-bottom sticker price, and it’s not an EV at all. But it tows up to 4,000 pounds and seats five. You can walk into a Ford dealer today instead of waiting for a startup’s first-ever production run. Ford is also chasing this same budget-EV-truck idea with its upcoming Fathom truck. We compared that one directly to the Maverick in our Fathom vs. Maverick breakdown, and the conclusion there tracks with what’s happening here too.
Quick spec comparison
| Vehicle | Starting Price | Range/MPG | Seats | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slate Truck | $24,950 (+ destination) | 205 mi (electric) | 2 | Q4 2026 |
| Chevy Bolt LT | $28,995–$29,990 | 255 mi (electric) | 5 | Now |
| Ford Maverick Hybrid | $28,145 | 42 mpg city | 5 | Now |
So which one actually wins?
For most shoppers, the Maverick wins on practicality. The Bolt wins on all-around EV value. The Slate wins only if you specifically want the novelty of the cheapest, most stripped-down electric vehicle sold in America today.
I wouldn’t put my own money into a first-year Slate Truck yet. A two-seat truck with no infotainment and unproven production reliability is a big ask, even at that price. Startups have stumbled before. The Bolt gives you far more range and comfort for a few thousand dollars more. The Maverick remains the most complete, capable, and battle-tested option of the three. If you’re still weighing whether an EV fits your life at all, our EV decision framework walks through exactly this kind of tradeoff.
FAQ
Does the Slate Truck qualify for any tax credits?
No federal credit applies anymore. The $7,500 EV incentive was eliminated as of September 30, 2025. Some state-level rebates may still apply depending on where you live.
Can the Slate Truck tow or haul like a real pickup?
Slate hasn’t published towing specs as of this writing. Its single-motor, two-seat layout suggests it’s built more for light-duty errands than serious hauling or towing jobs.
Is the Chevy Bolt available to buy right now?
Yes. The 2027 Bolt began arriving at Chevrolet dealers in early 2026. The cheaper base LT trim followed a few months later in the model year.
Why did the Ford Maverick get so much more expensive than a few years ago?
Trim additions, standard hybrid powertrains, and general price creep have pushed the Maverick’s starting price up over time. It still undercuts rivals like the Honda Ridgeline and Hyundai Santa Cruz by thousands of dollars.