Blog
Slate truck deliveries could begin in December 2026
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes · Last updated:
Emails sent to preorder customers list December 2026 as an option for early shipments, as first reported by Business Insider. Those messages also include broader windows labelled "coming soon, 2027" and ranges such as July–September 2027, indicating only limited December capacity. Slate’s base truck is priced at $24,950, has an estimated 205‑mile range, and the company offered queue-holders refundable $50 deposits and $300 nonrefundable preorders that opened in June. The emails show the company’s delivery estimates, the depth of early interest, and how competing models affect buyer risk.
Key takeaways
- Earliest delivery window: The emails sent to preorder customers list December 2026 as an early‑delivery option for Slate trucks.
- Price and range: Slate’s base electric pickup is offered at $24,950 with an estimated 205-mile range.
- Preorder demand: Slate says more than 180,000 people paid a refundable $50 deposit, and the $300 preorder that launched in June drew over 10,000 commitments within hours of the price announcement.
- Staggered delivery windows: Emails give later shipping estimates ranging from "coming soon, 2027" to "July–September, 2027" for customers who do not get December slots.
- Competitive pressure: Ford’s all-electric Fathom pickup is priced at $28,350 and is expected to reach customers in Fall 2027.
Table of contents
What Slate’s customer emails reveal about timing
Slate asked preorder customers whether they wanted an earlier delivery window and provided a dropdown that included a December 2026 choice. Those calendar options represent the company’s clearest indication yet of when it expects to ship customer units.
The same messages made clear that December is not guaranteed for everyone who selects it. The emails pair the December option with fallback delivery windows that stretch into 2027, with the reviewed messages estimating ranges from "coming soon, 2027" to "July–September, 2027." That spread suggests Slate plans a small initial run in December and a phased ramp into the next year, rather than a broad, simultaneous rollout.
How the product and preorder economics look
Slate’s pitch is deliberately minimalist: the base truck lists at $24,950, offers an estimated 205-mile range, two seats, manual crank windows, and omits a touchscreen and stereo. Customers can add paid options such as exterior wraps, Bluetooth speaker holders, and an SUV kit with a second row, letting buyers decide which features they value.
Slate opened refundable $50 deposits earlier and launched $300 nonrefundable preorders in June. The company reports that more than 180,000 people paid the refundable $50 to hold a queue spot, and it received over 10,000 of the $300 preorders within hours after the price was announced. Those figures show substantial interest, but the mix of refundable and nonrefundable deposits creates varied buyer exposure if delivery timing shifts.
Market context and four implications for demand
Cox Automotive's data show that the average price paid for a new car was $49,855 in July. That shift toward pricier models, together with the practical disappearance of small two‑door trucks from the US market, creates a narrow opening for Slate if it can deliver a stripped-down, lower-cost pickup to buyers willing to forgo many features.
Competition will matter. Ford’s forthcoming Fathom pickup, priced at $28,350, will offer four doors and more standard features and is expected to reach customers in Fall 2027. Even though Fathom is several months later, its broader feature set for a few thousand dollars more could sway buyers who can wait for a more conventional truck, limiting Slate’s addressable demand over time.
| Model | Base price | Earliest delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Slate truck | $24,950 | December 2026 (early slots) |
| Ford Fathom | $28,350 | Fall 2027 (expected) |
How Slate’s timing could play out
The case for
- If Slate ships a limited December 2026 run, early customers get first access to a low-cost EV pickup and Slate gains real-world feedback to speed production updates.
- High initial interest—over 180,000 refundable deposits and 10,000-plus paid preorders in the hours after the price reveal—gives Slate a substantial reservation list to convert as production ramps.
The case against
- December capacity appears small and many customers face delivery windows into 2027, which increases the chance of cancellations or dissatisfaction among preorder holders.
- Ford’s Fathom, priced at $28,350 and arriving in Fall 2027, could capture buyers willing to pay more for four doors and standard features, reducing Slate’s long-term market share.
What to be careful about
- Not all customers who select early delivery will get December 2026 slots, as emails pair that option with fallback windows into 2027.
- The $300 preorder fee is nonrefundable while earlier $50 deposits were refundable, creating different exposures if Slate delays or changes allocations.
- Competition from Ford’s Fathom and mainstream automakers aiming at higher-priced buyers could limit Slate’s ability to convert long-term demand.
The bottom line
The messages make December 2026 the first specific month Slate has offered for early deliveries, while also outlining a phased schedule that stretches into 2027 for many buyers. Slate’s $24,950, 205‑mile, two‑seat pickup targets a defined niche and has accumulated large reservation numbers, but limited December capacity, mixed refund terms on deposits, and later competitors such as Ford’s $28,350 Fathom arriving in Fall 2027 complicate the path from preorder interest to wider adoption.
What to watch
- Watch for Slate’s earliest customer deliveries in December 2026; the emails viewed by Business Insider list that month as an early-delivery option.
- Watch customer deliveries for Ford’s Fathom in Fall 2027, when a direct competitor priced at $28,350 is expected to reach buyers.
Frequently asked questions
When could Slate start delivering its trucks?
Those emails show December 2026 as the earliest single‑month delivery window; other estimated shipping ranges in the messages extend into 2027, including "coming soon, 2027" and "July–September, 2027."
How much does the base Slate truck cost and what does it include?
The base Slate pickup is offered at $24,950, with an estimated 205-mile range, two seats, manual crank windows, and no touchscreen or stereo as standard.
How many people have reserved a Slate truck?
Slate reports that more than 180,000 people placed refundable $50 deposits to reserve a queue spot, and that it received over 10,000 of the $300 nonrefundable preorders within hours of revealing the price.
Related reading
This article is information, not financial advice. Anyone acting on it should do their own checks.