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Slate Auto drops “under $20,000” pricing after Trump administration ends federal EV tax credit
In a surprise move, Slate Auto has quietly dropped its marketing message of an “under $20,000” starting price for its upcoming electric pickup truck. The change comes just days after the passage of President Trump’s tax cut bill, which is expected to end the federal EV tax credit in September.
Initially, Slate Auto promoted that its all-electric pickup would start at a revolutionary price point of under $20,000 with the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. This language was still present on the company’s website as recently as yesterday, according to Web Archive records. However, it appears that this messaging has been removed without warning.
The move is a significant blow to Slate Auto’s attempt to disrupt the market by offering an affordable electric vehicle. The company had positioned itself as a challenger to traditional automakers, promising to bring down prices for the average consumer. By removing the under $20,000 claim, Slate Auto may be repositioning its product to appeal to a different demographic.
Slate Auto has not commented on the change in messaging, leaving many questions unanswered about the actual starting price of its vehicle without the tax credit. Industry insiders speculate that the company is likely to increase prices or focus on a higher-end variant of the truck instead.
The end of the federal EV tax credit marks a significant shift in the market dynamics for electric vehicles. Slate Auto’s original promise of an affordable option may no longer be feasible, and this change could signal a pivot in strategy by the startup.
Source: techcrunch.com
