In April 2025, a new company called Slate Auto left stealth, shocking the automotive industry. The startup not only focused on the production of ultra-stable, customizable electric pickup trucks funded by Jeff Bezos, but also managed secretly in Troy, Michigan for three years.
TechCrunch reported on the company’s existence in early April, its involvement with Amazon’s founders, and a unique business model that is both curious and unique. In late April, weeks between Report and Slate’s official party, startup truck prototypes appeared around California, providing a news whirlwind.
Slate is an anomaly in the US EV sector where bankruptcies, failed product launches, and pivots become common. And while current supporters, executive lineups, first products and business models offer a compelling path, the road is plagued by potential hurdles as they push towards production in the second half of 2026.
This is a timeline that charts everything you need to know about Slate Auto, from its origin story and supporters to its products, business models and production plans.
Within an EV startup secretly supported by Jeff Bezos
April 8th – After a year-long investigation, TechCrunch released a story that revealed that a secret EV startup called Slate Auto had been operating for three years with the financial support of Mark Walter, owner of Jeff Bezos and La Dodgers.
Unlike other EV startups, Slate was working on developing very low-cost electric pickup trucks starting at around $25,000. The truck leverages the experience of many former employees at Harley-Davidson and Chrysler, and the experience of two companies with a wealth of accessories and aftermarket parts business.
Slate Auto pickup truck found in the wild
April 10th – A day later, unexplained photos of electric trucks began to flow on the R/Whatisthiscar subreddit, with Redditors speculating that it is a mystery EV from Slate.
TechCrunch was actually able to see photos of a prototype of a slate truck parked outside Long Beach at the California Design Center.
EVs that can change like “transformers”
April 21 – Slate has begun posting concept versions of the Slate EV on public roads to generate marketing buzz ahead of the planned launch event on April 24th. Strangely enough, some of them looked styled not only in pickup trucks, but also in SUVs and hatchbacks.
TechCrunch was able to confirm that the company developed the EV to have modular features “transformers-like.” I’ve seen this stunt as a way to tease this customization.
Analog EV pickup trucks that are clearly anti-Tesla
April 24th – Slate debuted at a launch event in Long Beach, California, revealing its customizable electric pickup truck. Slate also announced that the truck will be available for under $20,000.
The base version of the truck has been revealed to be a very bare bone with only 150 miles of range, power windows, main infotainment screens and no paint. Slate has promised that essentially everything about the truck is customizable.
Former Indiana Printing Factory for EV Truck Production
April 25th – TechCrunch reported that Slate has identified a former printing factory in Warsaw, Indiana as the location of the truck factory. The 1.4 million square feet facility was built in 1958 and remained dormant for about two years.
Slate Auto exceeds 100,000 refundable bookings in 2 weeks
May 12th – Slate has been confirmed with TechCrunch, which has already surpassed its $50 rebate available for affordable EV trucks. It was proof that the company’s ideas were caught up in a wide audience, despite no one knowing about Slate just two months ago.
Slate Autodrop is priced under $20,000 after the Trump administration ends federal EV tax credits
July 3rd – The Trump administration has pushed for a massive tax cut bill, which sets the last date for September for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, among many other lawsuits. This means that the slate trucks could no longer lean on that credit to reach their “under $20,000” starting price, and startups were being promoted. So before the bill was signed into law, Slate pulled its language from its website.
Why this LA-based VC company was an early investor in Slate Auto
July 8th – Slate’s 2023 funding round included at least 16 investors. One of them is Bezos. Most of these investors have not yet been identified, but Los Angeles-based Slauson & Co. spoke to TechCrunch about why he joined Slate Series B with EV Startup in its first funding round.
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