Slate crosses 150,000 reservations despite waning EV truck enthusiasm

Slate, an electric truck startup backed by Jeff Bezos, has amassed over 150,000 refundable reservations for its low-cost EV truck slated for release at the end of 2026. CEO Chris Barman addressed reservation holder questions in a recent Q&A, clarifying that the vehicle will not feature self-driving capabilities but will allow car seats on optional rear seats. While reservations indicate interest, they do not guarantee success, as many EV startups have failed to transition from reservations to production. Slate’s reservation growth has slowed since reaching 100,000 in May, taking seven months to add 50% more, and the company aims to produce 150,000 trucks annually at its refurbished Indiana factory, necessitating further buyer interest. Slate’s progress is notable amid a challenging electric truck market, highlighted by Ford’s recent decision to cease production of the all-electric F-150 Lightning due to poor profitability and limited sales. Other electric trucks, including Tesla’s Cybertruck and GM’s Silverado EV, have also struggled