Jeff Bezos Quietly Supports Electric Vehicle Manufacturer Developing a $25K Pickup for the General Public | Carscoops

      With the support of Jeff Bezos, the startup Slate Autos is working on an affordable two-seater electric truck that is expected to go into production by late 2026.

      Slate Autos plans to introduce a $25,000 electric truck by the end of 2026.

      The company has recruited former employees from major automakers including Ford, GM, Fisker, Canoo, and Stellantis.

      Drawing inspiration from Ford’s classic Model T, the vehicle aims to provide electric vehicles to the working class.

      For years, the concept of a budget-friendly, mass-market electric vehicle has remained just out of reach—a promised change that has yet to materialize. However, it appears this might finally be changing in an unexpected way. Henry Ford is recognized for making cars accessible to the general public in the early 20th century; now, according to recent reports, Jeff Bezos aims to do the same for electric vehicles.

      The $25,000 EV has long been considered the key model to persuade consumers to switch from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric ones. Despite numerous promises from various companies, a vehicle like this has not yet surfaced in the US market. Nonetheless, this may be about to change.

      Slate Auto: A New Entrant with Established Support

      As per a recent TechCrunch report, Bezos is investing in the Troy, Michigan-based startup Slate Auto, which aims to develop a two-seat electric truck starting at $25,000. Founded in 2022 from Bezos’ investment in another firm called Re:Build Manufacturing, the company remains relatively obscure compared to other prominent startups.

      Despite this, it has reportedly been hiring a significant number of employees in Detroit, many of whom come from traditional manufacturers like GM, Ford, and Stellantis, in addition to less successful startups such as Fisker and Canoo. According to its LinkedIn profile, as of April 8, the company has between 201 and 500 employees, along with 334 associates.

      A Nostalgic Yet Modern Vehicle

      While details about the upcoming pickup truck are understandably limited, TechCrunch has stated that insiders indicate it draws inspiration from affordable automotive classics like the Ford Model T and the VW Beetle.

      Although Elon Musk may have been ahead in the electric vehicle market, Bezos has also ventured into this sector, with Amazon heavily investing in Rivian. To date, Amazon has contributed over $1.3 billion to the electric vehicle manufacturer, which has contracted to supply the company with delivery vans.

      However, Slate Auto isn’t solely dependent on Amazon; the company is reported to have secured at least $111 million in a Series A funding round in 2023. Recently, it informed its employees about additional Series B investments obtained by the end of 2024, though these details have not yet been officially reported to the SEC.

      Production Plans Ahead

      Slate Auto plans to start manufacturing its electric vehicle by late 2026. The new truck will be produced at a facility near Indianapolis, Indiana, but it remains unclear whether this will be a newly built factory or an existing one that the brand has acquired.