Slate's highly affordable EV will begin taking pre-orders in June, but the price remains unknown.

      Slate’s economical electric truck is nearing its release date

      Slate Auto’s straightforward electric truck is approaching its rollout on public roads. The startup has announced that preorders will be available starting June 24, 2026, at a cost of $300. Additionally, the EV manufacturer has been accepting refundable $50 reservations, and its latest communications to potential customers urge them to reserve now to ensure they receive a delivery window ahead of those who wait for the preorder period.

      The preorder dates have been set, but the exact pricing remains unclear

      Slate

      Slate previously made headlines by stating that the base model of its electric vehicle could be priced under $20,000 after a $7,500 federal tax credit. However, that federal credit was ultimately eliminated, and Slate has since been vague about the final pricing, later indicating that it would start in the mid-$20,000 range.

      Therefore, June 24 is poised to be a significant date for the startup. Slate has built its entire brand around the concept of eliminating expensive complexities in favor of offering a simple and customizable electric vehicle at a price that average consumers can afford. If the price deviates too much from the initial promise of an affordable vehicle, the truck may face challenges in sales.

      It’s still quite appealing

      Slate

      Slate markets its forthcoming budget electric vehicle as a straightforward electric pickup that can be transformed into an SUV, a work truck, or customized further with various accessories and kits. This minimalist approach has attracted interest, with Slate reportedly receiving over 160,000 refundable reservations since the EV's announcement last year. However, it's yet to be determined how many of these will turn into actual purchases.

      I must acknowledge the attraction of a “buy now, upgrade later” model for EVs. It holds significant promise, provided it aligns with the right price point.

      Vikhyaat Vivek is a tech journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience focusing on consumer hardware...

      Low-cost sodium batteries are achieving Tesla-level performance in China

      Researchers have discovered that Hina’s commercial sodium-ion cells are matching critical performance metrics of Tesla batteries.

      A commercially available sodium-ion battery in China is approaching performance levels comparable to Tesla, challenging the cost advantages held by lithium-ion batteries. Researchers evaluating Hina’s cells have noted consistent output across a wide sample, strong power capabilities, and a design that mimics major features found in Tesla batteries. Although the low-cost sodium battery still requires improvements, such as performance in freezing conditions, it indicates a more affordable option for electric vehicles, grid storage, and commercial vehicles that do not require maximum driving range.

      Tesla’s main competitor introduces self-driving technology with full crash coverage at a lower cost

      BYD's God's Eye technology is positioned to rival Tesla at a much more accessible price.

      BYD has struck another blow against Tesla with its newly launched self-driving package, priced to outshine Tesla's driver-assistance offerings. The Chinese electric vehicle leader has introduced a service package called God's Eye, with chairman Wang Chuanfu stating that the primary goal is to attain "zero traffic accidents." During a recent press conference, he revealed that BYD will fully cover compensation and repairs for accidents occurring while using its City Navigation feature, without impacting the user's insurance premiums in the subsequent year.

      Tesla expects you to trust its self-driving technology, but even its own AI trainers are skeptical

      Elon Musk has been touting the promise of a fully autonomous Tesla for nearly a decade, claiming that future is just around the corner. However, a recent investigation by Reuters indicates that those closest to the technology—those who are actively training it—are hesitant to embrace it.

      Hundreds of Tesla employees spend their days reviewing footage from cars implementing Full Self-Driving. They observe collisions with animals like cats, dogs, and deer without the vehicle applying brakes, close calls with children, and Teslas exceeding speed limits by 20 to 30 mph. Despite these concerning observations, Elon Musk continues to assert that Full Self-Driving is ready to take control.