In an automotive industry dominated by luxury electric vehicles, self-driving hype, and six-figure price tags, a small startup has done the unthinkable — and it’s causing waves from Silicon Valley to Detroit. Slate Motors, a fledgling EV manufacturer backed quietly by Amazon logistics investments, has reportedly hit 5 million preorders for its no-frills, ultra-affordable $20,000 electric pickup truck.

That number isn’t a typo. Five million. And what’s even more shocking is what buyers are getting for that modest price — or, rather, what they aren’t getting.

A No-Nonsense EV That’s Redefining the Market

The vehicle, known simply as The Slate Pickup, is a stark contrast to the futuristic, feature-laden EVs from Tesla, Rivian, and Ford. It offers manual windows, steel wheels, basic vinyl seats, and no touchscreen. Optional paint? That’s extra. Advanced driver-assistance systems? Forget it. In a market that increasingly resembles a sci-fi movie set, Slate is betting big on simplicity, durability, and affordability.

“Not every American wants a $90,000 Cybertruck,” said Slate Motors CEO Evan Ramirez in an interview with Business Insider. “There’s a massive, underserved market of working-class buyers and small business owners who need an electric workhorse they can actually afford — and we built it for them.”

And the gamble appears to be paying off.

Preorder Madness: How Did Slate Hit 5 Million Reservations?

Slate quietly opened its online reservation system three months ago, initially targeting Amazon contract drivers, independent delivery operators, and small business owners in rural and suburban regions. Early word-of-mouth buzz spread across trucking forums, Reddit, and TikTok, and preorders exploded beyond expectations.

Within the first 24 hours, Slate logged 50,000 reservations. By week two, that number crossed 1 million. As of this week, company insiders confirmed to Reuters that the tally has surpassed 5 million preorders globally, including fleets reserved by several major logistics and utility companies in India, Brazil, and Mexico.

“It’s an unprecedented number for an EV launch,” said automotive industry analyst Dana Caldwell. “Even Tesla didn’t see this kind of preorder volume for the Cybertruck, and Slate’s done it without splashy PR campaigns or celebrity endorsements.”

Amazon’s Quiet Hand in the Deal

What’s perhaps more intriguing is Amazon’s involvement. According to financial filings and insider leaks, the tech giant owns a 24% minority stake in Slate through its Amazon Logistics Ventures arm. The trucks are reportedly being developed with an eye toward deployment within Amazon’s delivery network for short-haul, last-mile operations.

While Amazon hasn’t officially commented on its stake in Slate, sources suggest that as many as 50,000 of the preorders are earmarked for Amazon’s U.S. and European delivery fleets by 2026.

“Amazon’s logistics growth has hit a point where they need affordable, scalable electric options, especially in rural and suburban delivery zones,” said Caldwell. “Slate fits that need perfectly.”

What You Get for $20K

So, what exactly comes in a $20,000 electric pickup?

Single-motor rear-wheel drive

200-mile range per charge

Basic digital gauge cluster (no central touchscreen)

Manual windows and locks

Optional A/C and heating package

No ADAS or self-driving features

Bare steel wheels and monochrome paint (with color optional for $500)

Durable vinyl interior trim

The Slate Pickup won’t win design awards or make tech influencers drool — but it wasn’t built for that. Instead, it’s designed to haul, tow, and endure, with a max payload of 2,000 lbs and towing capacity up to 5,000 lbs.

Manufacturing Plans and Delivery Timeline

Slate is finalizing plans for a factory in Ohio, with secondary assembly lines planned in Mexico and Southeast Asia. Initial production is slated to begin in early 2026, with deliveries prioritized to Amazon and early fleet customers.

The company says it aims to ramp production capacity to 500,000 units per year by 2027, making it one of the highest-volume EV manufacturers in North America — a staggering feat for a brand that didn’t exist publicly two years ago.

Industry Reaction: Disruption Ahead

The unexpected preorder numbers have sent ripples through the automotive world. Shares of established EV makers dipped modestly following Slate’s preorder announcement, with analysts warning that a wave of low-cost EV competition could upend the market’s current focus on high-margin luxury vehicles.

“This is a wake-up call for Rivian, Ford, and even Tesla,” Caldwell warned. “If Slate delivers even half of what they’ve promised at this price point, it will force a market reset.”

For now, Slate’s future hinges on scaling production and navigating the brutal EV supply chain landscape. But one thing’s certain — the demand for affordable, no-nonsense electric trucks is very, very real.

And Slate just might be the company to deliver it.